The Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called the Respite Care Grant) is an annual payment made to carers who are providing full-time care. The grant is NOT means tested. The grant for 2026 is €2000 and is payable on 4 June 2026. Carers can use the grant in whatever way they wish.
The Carer’s Support Grant is fully exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.
If you are caring for more than one person, you can apply for a grant for each of them.
The grant is paid automatically to carers who get Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA).
If you are not getting any of these payments, you will need to make an application. A link to the application form is given below. The qualifying conditions are:
- you are aged 16 or over
- you ordinarily reside in the Irish State
- you care for the person full time
- you have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June
- you live with the person you are caring for or you are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm.
You do not qualify for Carer’s Support Grant if you are:
- working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week. (Note: you must show us that the person you are caring for has adequate care while you are working, on an education course, or both)
- getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit
- signing on for credited contributions
- living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution.
Completed application forms, with the relevant supporting documents, should be sent to:
Carer’s Support Grant Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford, N39 E4E0
If you have any queries, the Carer’s Support Grant Section can be contacted by email at
Carerssupportgrant@welfare.ie or by phone at 0818 927770 or
043 3340000