Social welfare Ireland: Thousands more qualify for once-off payment that’s increased to €2,000

Thousands more people are set to qualify for a once-off payment that has been increased to €2,000

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection.

It is automatically to people getting Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate), Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Read more: Cost of living Ireland: Thousands of people eligible for relief payment immediately - here’s how to apply

Read more: Cost of living Ireland: Four social welfare groups getting boosted weekly increase worth €15

It is currently worth €1,850, but it will be increased by €150 to €2,000 in June 2025.

There will be more recipients in line for the payment as one of the automatic schemes will see its criteria change in January 2025. The Carer’s Benefit will be extended to people who are self-employed.

The Carer’s Support Grant is not a means-tested payment.

If you are not getting one of these payments, you can still qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant.

You must be:

• Aged 16 or over
• Ordinarily resident in Ireland
• Caring for the person on a full-time basis
• Caring for the person for at least 6 months (this 6-month period must include the first Thursday in June)
• Living with the person being cared for (or if you don't live with them, you must meet certain criteria - for example, the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)

During this 6-month caring period, you cannot:

• Work more than 18.5 hours per week (as an employee or in self-employment)
• Take part in an education or training course for more than 18.5 hours a week
• Get Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• Sign on for credited contributions
• Live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution
• Caring for more than one person

How to apply?

If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the Carer's Support Grant. You will automatically get it in June.

If you are not getting one of the above payments, you should fill in a Carer's Support Grant application form, found here, for each person you are caring for.

You can also get the application form from your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, or Citizens Information Centre.

You can find out more information here.

Join RSVP Live's WhatsApp community to get celebrity news and our top stories