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What is Domiciliary Care Allowance?
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability. The child must require ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above what is usually needed by a child of the same age.
Who can get Domiciliary Care Allowance?
Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is based on the level of care and attention the child needs as a result of their disability or illness. It is not based on the type of disability or illness the child has.
To qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance, the child must:
- be aged under 16
- be resident in Ireland
- have a severe disability that is likely to impact them for at least 12 months
- need ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age
- live with the person claiming Domiciliary Care Allowance for at least 5 days a week.
There are some exceptions, for example if the child’s parents are living apart or if the child attends residential care part-time.
The person claiming Domiciliary Care Allowance must:
- provide for the care of the child
- be habitually resident in the Republic of Ireland
There are no PRSI conditions for DCA and it is not means tested. You can find out more about who can get Domiciliary Care Allowance on gov.ie.
How to prepare for your Domiciliary Care Allowance application:
Ask the child’s GP or medical specialist to complete the Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1)
You must provide a completed Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1) as part of your application. The DCAMed1 form is available to download on gov.ie.
If your GP or specialist has not completed the Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1) yet, you can proceed with your application. However, the completed DCAMed1 form must be provided within 21 days of submitting your application.
There are three ways to provide the Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1):
- Upload it with your application
- Upload it via the Manage My Claim service on your MyWelfare account dashboard. This will become available after your application has been submitted.
- Post it to the below address
Postal address:
Domiciliary Care Allowance Section,
Department of Social Protection Government Buildings,
Ballinalee Road,
Longford,
N39 E4E0
Please note: We can only begin processing your application once we have received your completed Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1).
You can also upload or post additional reports from therapists, specialists or consultants, if you have them available.
What will you be asked for?
Address
You will be asked to confirm your current address.
Child's details
You will be asked to provide the child’s personal details, including where they live and any overnight care arrangements.
Medical information
You will be asked to provide a completed Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1) from the child’s GP or medical specialist.
Caring information
You will be asked to give details of the care the child requires and the impact it has on daily life.
Therapy information & reports
You will be asked to give details of any therapists, specialists or consultants the child has been referred to. You will be asked to provide any available reports you have from these referrals.
Education & childcare
You will also be asked to give details of the child’s educational and childcare needs.
You will need a verified MyGovID account to apply. If you don't have a verified MyGovID account, you can create one here.