Family

Carer's Allowance means test (the income check): what is and isn't counted

Last updated 16 October 2026

The first €1,000 a week of income (€2,000 for a couple) isn't counted for Carer's Allowance. This rises to €1,150 and €2,300 from July 2027.

Carer's Allowance is a weekly payment for people caring full-time for someone who needs it because of age, disability or illness. It depends on your household's income, but a large part of that income is ignored. The rules here follow Citizens Information.

What is ignored

Income disregard (income that isn't counted): from 2 July 2026, the first €1,000 a week for a single person. For a couple it is €2,000 of their combined weekly income. Budget 2027 raises these to €1,150 and €2,300 from July 2027.
Deductions from pay: PRSI, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions come off gross earnings (pay before tax) first.
Capital: savings and investments up to €50,000 each (a couple's capital is split in two). Above that, each €1,000 counts as €1 a week up to €60,000, €2 up to €70,000, and €4 beyond. Your own home doesn't count.
Child maintenance, and some rent-a-room income.

For a couple, what is left is then halved to give the carer's weekly means.

An example

A carer earns €250 a week part-time. Their spouse earns €2,100 a week, with €150 of PRSI and pension contributions. They have €130,000 in joint savings.

Weekly income counted	€2,200.00
Weekly value of capital	€40.00
Total	€2,240.00
Weekly means from 2 July 2026	€120.00
Weekly means from July 2027	€0.00

The higher disregard in 2027 brings this household's means to nil, so the carer would get the full rate. Means above nil reduce the payment on a sliding scale published in a Department of Social Protection booklet (SW19).

The rates

In 2026 the full rate for a carer under 66 looking after one person is €270 a week, or €405 caring for two or more. Budget 2027 adds €10 from January 2027. Carers also get the annual Carer's Support Grant, and can work or study up to 18.5 hours a week.

Carer's Allowance is taxable income, though it may not lead to any tax if it is your only income. Apply to the Department of Social Protection; the means are checked again when circumstances change.

To see how a carer's income fits with the rest of the household, try the stay-at-home calculator.

Work it out

Sources

General information, not tax advice. HeyPenny is not a tax agent.