Carer’s Allowance is a means-tested payment for people who are caring for someone in need of support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness.
The main qualifying conditions for the Carer’s Allowance payment are that the applicant must be providing full-time care, satisfy a means test and not be working or in education/training for more than 18.5 hour per week. These conditions are set down in the legislation governing the payment.
The Carer's Allowance application form and associated Employer Declaration enables both the applicant and their employer to specify the effective date of the reduction in working hours, where an individual intends to reduce their working hours in order to satisfy the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance. Form-CR1 and Form CA-ER1, are available to download on gov.ie. Applications may be submitted by post or via mywelfare.ie.
It should be noted that entitlement to Carer’s Allowance cannot be determined until the claimant’s reduction in working hours has taken effect. While a claim may be progressed and prepared for decision, an award can only be made once confirmation has been received that all eligibility conditions have been satisfied.
For anyone who needs immediate assistance, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available through the Community Welfare service. Under the scheme, the Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place, 0818-607080, which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via mywelfare.ie.
If the Deputy has a particular case, he can forward the details so that we can examine the case to see if there are appropriate supports that can be put in place in a timely manner.
