The amount of income included in the means testing of Carer’s Allowance payments will change for the first time in 14 years from Wednesday.
Carer’s Allowance is paid to people who look after someone who needs support because of age, disability or illness, including mental illness.
The weekly income disregard for the allowance’s means test will increase to €350 for a single person, up from €332.50. Couples will have €750 of their weekly income disregarded, up from €665.
The amount of capital and savings that are disregarded in the means assessment will also increase, from €20,000 to €50,000.
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The annual Carer’s Support Grant, worth €1,850, will be paid to 121,000 people who provide full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability.
This payment is automatically given to those on Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. The total amount paid out for this grant is expected to be more than €241 million.
These measures were contained in Budget 2022, and the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, said they will benefit more people.
“Our carers have endured a particularly difficult two years and a half years, dealing with extraordinary daily challenges posed by the pandemic,” she said.
“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.”
Thousands of carers who did not qualify for any payment will now be brought into the net, she added.
“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.”
At end of April, there were 90,821 recipients of Carer’s Allowance. The projected expenditure on Carer’s Allowance this year is approximately €990 million.