For carers

If you care for someone at home

Caring for someone is a full day's work, often with no pay. The State has several payments and grants for carers, and each has its own rules.

Many carers get one payment and never hear about the others. Some help comes even if you work, or your partner earns.

Check Carer's Allowance

A worked example

Someone under 66, single, caring full-time for one person, with no other income and €5,000 in savings.

Carer's Allowance a week

€270.00

You could get €270.00 a week in Carer's Allowance, and the €2,000.00 Carer's Support Grant each June.

Worked out by our Carer's Allowance or Benefit calculator, from these answers. Your own answers give your own figure.

Try it with your own figures

Self-assessment tool. The figures come from your own answers. It isn't advice, and you're responsible for what you file or claim.

5 things people often miss

1
The Carer's Support Grant comes every June
You can get it even without Carer's Allowance, if you have cared full-time for at least six months. Your income doesn't matter for it.
- Carer's Support Grant
2
You can work part-time and keep Carer's Allowance
You can work or study for up to 18.5 hours a week. Part of what you and your partner earn isn't counted.
- Carer's Allowance or Benefit
- Carer's Allowance and earnings
3
Tax credits for the family
A married couple where one stays home to care can claim the Home Carer Tax Credit. Supporting an older or ill relative can bring the Dependent Relative Tax Credit.
- Home Carer Tax Credit
- Dependent Relative Tax Credit
4
Grants to adapt the home
The Housing Adaptation Grant helps with ramps, a stair lift or a downstairs bathroom. The Mobility Aids Grant covers smaller jobs, and its application pack is free here.
- Housing Adaptation Grant
- Mobility Aids Grant
5
For a child who needs extra care
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child under 16 who needs much more care than other children. Your income doesn't matter for it.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Tax credit for a child with a disability

A worked example

Someone under 66, single, caring full-time for one person, with no other income and €5,000 in savings.

Carer's Allowance a week

€270.00

You could get €270.00 a week in Carer's Allowance, and the €2,000.00 Carer's Support Grant each June.

Worked out by our Carer's Allowance or Benefit calculator, from these answers. Your own answers give your own figure.

Try it with your own figures

Self-assessment tool. The figures come from your own answers. It isn't advice, and you're responsible for what you file or claim.

5 things people often miss

The Carer's Support Grant comes every June

You can get it even without Carer's Allowance, if you have cared full-time for at least six months. Your income doesn't matter for it.

Carer's Support Grant

You can work part-time and keep Carer's Allowance

You can work or study for up to 18.5 hours a week. Part of what you and your partner earn isn't counted.

Tax credits for the family

A married couple where one stays home to care can claim the Home Carer Tax Credit. Supporting an older or ill relative can bring the Dependent Relative Tax Credit.

Grants to adapt the home

The Housing Adaptation Grant helps with ramps, a stair lift or a downstairs bathroom. The Mobility Aids Grant covers smaller jobs, and its application pack is free here.

For a child who needs extra care

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child under 16 who needs much more care than other children. Your income doesn't matter for it.