Increase in numbers claiming Carers Allowance due to budget changes

THE OVERALL  number of people claiming Carers Allowance across Ireland has increased by more than 3% with a total of 93,609 claims in the last year.

According to new data, the highest number of claims were made by residents in County Cork (10,335)  while Leitrim had the lowest number of claims (795).

Nationally, there were 90,833 claims in the period between May 2021 and May 2022 - before the changes announced in Budget 2022 came into effect. 

The increase in claims, since June 2022, following changes that were made allowing more people to qualify for Carers Allowance. 

Speaking in the Dáil, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys explained: “As part of Budget 2022, I introduced measures which allow carers to have a higher weekly household income and a higher level of savings, and still qualify for a Carers Allowance payment. These measures included an increase in the income disregard from €332.50 to €350 for a single person and from €665 to €750 for a couple. In addition, the amount of capital disregarded in the means test increased from €20,000 to €50,000."

The minister made her comments in reply to a question from Fianna Fail TD Jim O'Callaghan.

Carer's Allowance is a social assistance payment in which the carer is means-tested.

Means include spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and includes earnings, property excluding their own home or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income such as occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country. 

To apply for Carer's Allowance, carers can go to their local social welfare office and pick up an application form or download it through the Citizens Information website.

There may only be one application form per person you are caring for.