Carer's Support Grant (2024)

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What is the Carer's Support Grant?

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). It used to be called the Respite Care Grant.

You can use the grant in whatever way you like. You can use it to pay for respite care, but you don't have to. Read our page about respite care facilities.

In June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), the DSP pays the grant automatically to carers getting:

• Carer's Allowance
• Carer's Benefit
• Domiciliary Care Allowance

Only one Carer’s Support Grant can be paid for each person getting care.

The Carer’s Support Grant was paid on 6 June 2024.

Can I get the Carer's Support Grant?

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid automatically to people getting:

• Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate)
• Carer’s Benefit
• Domiciliary Care Allowance.

I don't get the payments listed above

If you are not getting one of these payments, you can still qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant.

You must be:

• Aged 16 or over
• Ordinarily resident in Ireland
• Caring for the person on a full-time basis
• Caring for the person for at least 6 months (this 6-month period must include the first Thursday in June)
• Living with the person being cared for (or if you don't live with them, you must meet certain criteria - for example, the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)

During this 6-month caring period, you cannot:

• Work more than 18.5 hours per week (as an employee or in self-employment)
• Take part in an education or training course for more than 18.5 hours a week
• Get Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• Sign on for credited contributions
• Live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution

You don’t have to pass a means test to get the Carer’s Support Grant.

Caring for more than one person

If you are caring for more than one person, a grant is paid for each of them.

Caring for a baby kept in hospital

If your baby is kept in hospital or other institution to get medical treatment after their birth, you may qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant. To get the grant, your baby must have a disability that would qualify them for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

How much is the Carer's Support Grant?

In June 2024, the Carer's Support Grant was €1,850.

You get it once a year for each person you are caring for. It was paid on 6 June 2024.

It is not taxable. Read about the taxation of social welfare payments.

How to apply

If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the Carer's Support Grant. You will automatically get it in June.

If you are not getting one of the above payments, you should fill in a Carer's Support Grant application form (pdf) for each person you are caring for.

You can also get the application form from your local:

• Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, or
• Citizens Information Centre

When to apply

You can apply for a Carer's Support Grant for any given year from April of that year until, 31 December of the following year.

For example:

You can apply for the Carer's Support Grant for 2024 at any time from April 2024 up until 31 December 2025.

More information

Read detailed information about the Carer’s Support Grant on Gov.ie.

Send your completed Carer's Support Grant application form (pdf) to: