Carer's Support Grant
€2,000 for each person you care for, paid each June. Tax-free, and free of PRSI and USC too.
Last checked July 2026 · Updated 27 September 2026
What it is
An annual, tax-free lump sum for carers, €2,000 for each person you care for, and you can spend it on whatever you need. If you get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance on the first Thursday in June it is paid automatically with no application. You can still get it even if you are on none of those payments. You need to be 16 or over, ordinarily resident here, caring full time, and to have been caring for at least six continuous months covering the first Thursday in June. You must live with the person or be quickly contactable by phone or alarm. You will not qualify if you work, study or train for more than 18.5 hours a week. You will not qualify if you are on Jobseeker's or signing on for credits either.
Who can get it
- You are getting (or are entitled to) Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance on the first Thursday in June. In that case it is paid automatically with no application needed
- Or, if you are not on one of those payments, you apply on form CSG1. You must be 16 or over, ordinarily resident in Ireland and caring for the person full time. You must have been caring for at least six months in a row, including the first Thursday in June
- You live with the person or can be reached quickly by phone or alarm
- You do not work, study or train for more than 18.5 hours a week. You are not on Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit and you are not signing on for credits
- Paid once a year, around June, and it's completely exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.
- It's €2,000 for each person you care for, so caring for two people can mean two payments.
- Most recipients, those already on Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, don't need to do anything. It is paid automatically if you are on the payment on the first Thursday in June.
- If you are applying separately on form CSG1, your six-month caring period must span the first Thursday in June that year.
- Applying yourself on form CSG1? You have until 31 December of the following year to claim a year's grant. So the 2025 grant can still be claimed until 31 December 2026, as well as the 2026 grant.
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. Last updated on 27 September 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much is the Carer's Support Grant in 2026?
€2,000 for each person you care for, paid once a year, usually in June.
Do I need to apply for the Carer's Support Grant?
Not if you get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance on the first Thursday in June. Then it is paid automatically. If you are not on one of those payments, you apply separately on form CSG1. You have until 31 December of the following year, so the 2025 grant can still be claimed until 31 December 2026.
Is the Carer's Support Grant taxed?
No. It is fully exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.
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