You will qualify if you, the carer:
- satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (see note 1),
- reside in the Republic of Ireland,
- are aged 18 or over,
- satisfy a means test,
- live with the person you are looking after or can be contacted quickly by a direct system of communication (for example, telephone or alarm) between your home and the home of the person you are caring for,
- care for the person on a full-time basis,
and
- take up limited self-employment or are not employed outside the home for more than 15 hours a week.
Note 1: Habitual residence is a condition you must satisfy to qualify for certain social welfare payments. This condition took effect from 1 May 2004 and affects all applicants regardless of nationality.
For more information, log on to 'www.welfare.ie'.
In addition, the person you are caring for must:
- be so disabled as to need full-time care and attention (medical certification is required),
- not normally live in a hospital, home or other similar institution, and
- be aged 16 or over,
or
- be under age 16 if Domiciliary Care Allowance is being paid for them.
If you are caring for a child getting Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to supply a medical certificate or be the person who receives that allowance for the child.
Note 2:
You cannot get Carer's Allowance if the person you are caring for:
- is getting Constant Attendance Allowance under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme, or
- has Prescribed Relative's Allowance paid for them.