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.

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.

Ask the child’s GP or medical specialist to complete the Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1)

Your application will not be assessed without a completed Domiciliary Care Allowance Medical Form (DCAMed1). The DCAMed1 form is available to download on gov.ie.

The quickest way to get a decision on your claim is to upload the (DCAMed1) form with your online application. 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):

1. Upload it with your application
2. Upload it via the Manage My Claim service on your MyWelfare account dashboard. This will become available after your application has been submitted.
3. 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: If you choose to upload or post the DCAMed1 form after submitting your online application, this will result in a delay in processing and decision making. If the DCAMed1 form is not provided within 21 days of submitting your online application, your claim may be withdrawn and you will need to start a new application.

You can also upload or post additional reports from therapists, specialists or consultants, if you have them available.