Carer's Allowance
From €135 to €462 a week depending on your age, whether you get the full or half rate, and how many people you care for. A Child Support Payment is added on top for each qualifying child.
Last checked July 2026
What it is
Means-tested payment if you care for someone full-time. From 2 July 2026 the weekly income disregard rose to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple, so many more carers now qualify for the full or a partial payment.
Who can get it
- You provide full-time care and attention to a person who needs it
- The person you care for is 16 or over and expected to need that care for at least 12 months, or is under 16 and getting Domiciliary Care Allowance
- You are not working, studying or training for more than 18.5 hours a week
- You pass a means test on your income and savings (and your spouse or partner's, if you have one)
- Rates depend on your age: under 66 it's €270 a week at the full rate or €135 at half rate; 66 or over it's €308 full rate or €154 half rate.
- Caring for two or more people adds 50%: €405 a week under 66, or €462 a week at 66 or over.
- A Child Support Payment is added for each qualifying child, €58 or €78 a week depending on the child's age, half those amounts if you are on the half-rate payment.
- The weekly income disregard used in the means test rose sharply from 2 July 2026, to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple, so it is worth checking again even if you did not qualify before.
- Carer's Allowance became a taxable payment from 1 January 2026 (it was not taxed before), so it is now reported to Revenue.
How to apply
Applications go through DSP. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 4 July 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much is Carer's Allowance in 2026?
It ranges from €135 to €462 a week depending on your age and circumstances: €270 full rate or €135 half rate under 66, €308 full rate or €154 half rate at 66 or over. Caring for two or more people adds 50%. A Child Support Payment is added for each qualifying child.
Is Carer's Allowance means tested?
Yes. Since 2 July 2026 the weekly income disregard is €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple, a big rise, so it is worth checking again even if you did not qualify before.
Is Carer's Allowance taxable?
Yes, from 1 January 2026 it became a taxable payment reported to Revenue. Before that it was not taxed.
Related guides
- Carer's Support Grant
- Carer's Benefit
- Fuel Allowance
- State Pension (Non-Contributory)
- Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds
Not sure if this one is you?
Describe your situation in your own words and the assistant shows every support you might qualify for, this one included. Free, no sign up, anonymous.
Check what you might qualify for →