Carer's Benefit

To qualify for Carer’s Benefit, you must:

• Be aged 16 or over
• Meet the social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions
• Have been employed for at least 8 weeks in the previous 26 week period for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight (you do not have to meet this condition if you were getting Carer’s Benefit in the previous 26 weeks)
• Provide at least 35 hours of full-time care for another person over a minimum of 5 days per week
• Not earn more than the weekly income limit. You can find out more about income limits on gov.ie.
• Not live in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar care setting
• Not be employed, self-employed, doing voluntary work, 
  training, or any education courses for a combined total of more than 18.5 hours per week

A person is regarded as needing full-time care and attention when:

• they need continual supervision to avoid danger or injury to themselves, or
• they need continual supervision and support throughout the day with normal bodily functions (for example, eating, drinking, getting washed and dressed)

The person you care for can attend non-residential rehabilitation training or a day care centre. However, they cannot live in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar care setting. 

If the person you are caring for requires treatment in a hospital, you may continue to receive Carer’s Benefit in certain circumstances. 

You can find out more about hospital treatment and receiving Carer’s Benefit in our Operational Guidelines on gov.ie.

The Carer’s Benefit application consists of multiple parts. Your application will not be assessed unless you provide the following: 

1. This online application completed by you.
2. The paper medical form (CARMed1) completed by the doctor of the person you are caring for. If you are caring for someone under 16 and Domiciliary Care Allowance is in payment for that person, you will not be asked to provide a completed CARMed1 form. The CARMed1 form is available to download on gov.ie.
3. A completed Employer Certificate (CARB-ER1) for any employment you've had in the last 6 months. The CARB-ER1 form is available to download on gov.ie.
4. A completed Education Certificate (CAR-ED1) if you are currently in training or education. The CAR-ED1 form is available to download on gov.ie. 

There are three ways to provide the CARMed1, CARB-ER1 and CAR-ED1 forms:

1. Upload them with your application
2. Upload them via the Manage My Claim service on your MyWelfare account dashboard. This will become available after your application has been submitted.
3. Post them to the below address

Postal address:

Carer’s Benefit Section,
Department of Social Protection, Government Buildings, 
Ballinalee Road,
Longford,
N39 E4E0

Important note: 
The quickest way to get a decision on your claim is to upload the CARMed1, CARB-ER1 and CAR-ED1 forms with your online application. If you choose to upload or post these forms after submitting your online application, this will result in a delay in processing and decision making. If these forms are not provided within 21 days of submitting your online application, your claim will be withdrawn and you will need to start a new application.