Other State Funded Care
The HSE has other ways to help out with homecare along with its Home Support Service.
If you are looking after a loved one, you may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or the Carer’s Support Grant.
Carer’s Allowance
This is an amount paid to people on lower incomes who provide full-time homecare for another person. There is a means test involved and lots of other dependencies related to both yourself and those you are caring for. You can find out more here.
The maximum weekly allowances range from €224 to €262 per week depending on your age. There are increases of up to €48 if the person cared for is a child.
As with the Carer’s Support Grant below, you wouldn’t qualify if you’re working, self-employed or on a training course for more than 18.5 hours per week. If less, you’d need to show that the person has sufficient care at the times when you’re not there.
To apply, you’ll need to fill in the CR1 application form. You can download it here.
Carer’s Benefit
This gets paid to insured people who may have to stop working or reduce their working hours to care for someone in need of full-time care. It is payable for up to 2 years for each care recipient.
You would need to satisfy a range of requirements in order to receive Carer’s Benefit. Carer’s Benefit works out at €225 a week for 1 person receiving care. Someone who cares for 2 or more people may qualify for a higher rate of €337.50 a week.
To apply, you’ll need to fill out a form, CARB1. You can download it here. You’ll also need a medical report signed by the relevant doctor and the person you’re caring for.
The Carer’s Support Grant
Replacement respite services provide the opportunity for a well-earned break to anyone who cares for a loved one. There is a grant available to cover the expenses involved.
The Carer’s Support Grant, once known as the Respite Care Grant, is an annual payment made to carers. It’s automatically available to those who receive Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. If you don’t get any of these, you might still qualify.
The grant is worth €1,850 (tax-free) for each person you care for. The amount gets paid once a year, normally on the first Thursday of June. If you want to apply, you can download the required CSG1 form here. You can then complete and return it with the appropriate supporting documents.