Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
It is a condition for receipt of CA that the carer cannot be engaged in employment/self-employment or training/study. However, where it is shown to the satisfaction of a Deciding Officer (DO) that adequate provision has been made for the care of the care recipient, the carer may engage in these activities for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 11 September 2023.
As part of the decision process, the application was referred for the professional opinion of a Department Medical Assessor (MA). The claim was disallowed as the DO, having regard to the opinion of the MA, decided that the information supplied did not show that the care recipient required full-time care.
The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 20 October 2023. They were also notified of the right to have the decision reviewed (where further information is available) or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
A request to appeal this decision was lodged with the Department.
As a result of an Appeals Officer's decision, the person concerned was awarded CA from 14 September 2023 to 3 April 2024. However, it was decided that the person concerned had no entitlement to CA from 4 April 2024 as the information available to my department at the time was that the person concerned was working in excess of 18.5 hours per week. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 13 January 2025.
A review was initiated on foot of correspondence received on 17 January 2025. Following this review, the decision remained unchanged. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 11 March 2025.
A further review was initiated of foot of your correspondence, and a request for additional information issued to the person concerned on 19 March 2025.
Once the information requested is received, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
