It was confirmed this week that the Carer’s Support Grant would be paid to 125,000 carers and their families.

The date was 1 June, with people receiving €1,850 in a once-off annual payment, RSVP reports. It used to be called the Respite Care Grant.

It is given to carers getting Carer's Allowance (both full rate and half-rate), Carer's Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance.

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Only one Carer’s Support Grant can be paid for each person getting care. The grant is paid automatically to these eligible people.

If you are not getting one of these payments, you can still qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant. If you are not getting one of the above payments, you should fill in an application form, found here, for each person you are caring for.

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.

To get 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 period must include the first Thursday in June

  • Living with the person being cared for (or if you do not live with them you must meet certain criteria, for example the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)

During this six month caring period, you cannot:

  • Work more than 18.5 hours per week as an employee or 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

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

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