Over 121,000 people are to receive an annual €1,850 Carer's Grant on Thursday. However, thousands more may now be eligible to avail of the support.
The annual grant of €1,850 was increased by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys in her first budget as Minister for Social Protection.
The grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.
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The overall cost of the grant being paid this week is expected to be over €241 million.
Minister Humphreys said: "I am very pleased to also announce that almost 121,000 carers will receive the annual Carer's Support Grant of €1,850 from Thursday.
"This will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and those on Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes.
"The Carer's Support Grant was increased to €1,850 as the first of a number of improvements I have introduced in recognition of the vital role of carers and the contribution they make to society.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all carers in Ireland for the vital and valuable contribution you play in our society and in all our local communities. Your commitment and work in supporting those that need help and support is hugely important and is greatly appreciated."
Minister Humphreys also announced a major change to the means test for the Carer's Allowance, which will allow more carers to qualify for the weekly payment.
This is the first time in 14 years that a change to the means test has been made.
From today there will be an increase in the capital disregard for Carers from €20,000 to €50,000, and the weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance will increase to €350 per week for single carers and to €750 per week for a couple.
Commenting on the changes, Minister Humphreys said: "From today, the amount of capital and savings that are disregarded in the means assessment for carers will be increased from €20,000 to €50,000.
"I am also increasing the weekly earnings disregard to €350 for a single person and to €750 a week for a couple.
"These changes are significant and will mean many carers currently on a reduced rate of payment due to means will now qualify for the full rate.
"Equally thousands of Carers who may not have qualified for a payment at all up to this point will now be brought into the net."
How to Qualify for Carer's Support Grant
You automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant if you get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
If you are not getting any of these payments, you may still qualify if you meet these conditions:
- you are 16 or over
- you ordinarily reside in the Irish State
- you care for the person full time
- you have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June
- you live with the person you are caring for or you are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm
You do not qualify for Carer's Support Grant if you are:
- working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week. (Note: you must show us that the person you are caring for has adequate care while you are working, on an education course, or both)
- getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
- signing on for credited contributions
- living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution
If you are caring for more than one person, you will get a grant for each person cared for.
The Carer's Support Grant is exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.
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