Record increase to carer’s allowance income introduced by Mayo Minister
Thousands of carers will benefit from a higher weekly income as eligibility expands
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has announced the largest-ever increase to the weekly income for the Carer’s Allowance, with almost 2,700 carers set to receive higher payments from today (Wednesday, July 1).
The changes, which also include a significant increase to the income limit for Carer’s Benefit, are aimed at expanding access to financial support for family carers while moving closer to the Government’s commitment to phase out the Carer’s Allowance means test.
Under the new measures, the weekly income disregard for a single person receiving Carer’s Allowance increases from €625 to €1,000, while the disregard for couples rises from €1,250 to €2,000. The income limit for Carer’s Benefit has also increased from €625 to €1,000.
The Department of Social Protection said the changes mean virtually all existing Carer’s Allowance recipients will now receive the maximum rate of payment.
The revised thresholds will also allow significantly higher household incomes to qualify for support. A carer in a two-adult household earning approximately €110,000 a year will now retain their full Carer’s Allowance, while those with household incomes of up to €138,000 will continue to qualify for a partial payment.
Single carers working part-time can now earn up to €50,000 annually while retaining the full rate of Carer’s Allowance.
Minister Calleary said the changes represent another major step in supporting family carers.
“These changes mark another important step in strengthening supports for family carers,” he said. “Increasing the income disregard thresholds for Carer’s Allowance will ensure that more carers can access the financial assistance they need while continuing to provide essential care to their loved ones.”
The minister said the Government had made significant progress in improving supports for carers in recent years.
“We have made substantial progress in recent years for carers. These increases bring us closer to the Government’s commitment of phasing out the means test for Carer’s Allowance over the lifetime of this Government,” he said.
He added that increasing the income limit for Carer’s Benefit would also enable more people on higher incomes to reduce their working hours or temporarily leave employment to care for a loved one.
The changes take effect today (Wednesday, July 1) and are expected to make the schemes accessible to many carers who previously did not qualify because of their income.