Carer's Support Grant 2026: How Much, Who Gets It, and When It's Paid

What the Carer's Support Grant Is

The Carer's Support Grant is an annual lump sum paid by the Department of Social Protection to people providing full-time care in Ireland. In 2026, the grant is €2,000 annually. If you care for more than one person, ask the Department of Social Protection how the payment is calculated for your circumstances.

The grant is paid on the first Thursday of June each year. It is completely exempt from income tax and is not means-tested for existing recipients.

Who Gets It Automatically

If you're already receiving any of the following payments, the grant is paid automatically into your bank account in June — no application needed:

• Carer's Allowance (the means-tested weekly payment)
• Carer's Benefit (the PRSI-based payment for workers who reduce hours to provide care)
• Domiciliary Care Allowance (paid to parents of children with severe disabilities)

You don't need to fill out a form or contact the Department. The payment is made automatically on the first Thursday of June.

What If You Don't Receive Any Carer Payment

If you don't receive one of those payments, contact the Department of Social Protection or an Intreo centre to confirm whether a separate application route applies to your circumstances. The grant is not means-tested, but do not assume that the automatic payment rules above establish eligibility for a standalone application.

Can You Work and Still Get the Grant

If you're receiving Carer's Allowance, you're already limited to 18.5 hours of employment per week. The grant follows the same payment — it doesn't add a separate work condition.

The 18.5-hour cap is a condition of the weekly carer payments. If you are not receiving one of those payments, confirm any separate employment condition with the Department before relying on a grant-only application.

The Grant Alongside HSE Home Support

Receiving the Carer's Support Grant does not affect your parent's HSE Home Support hours. The two operate independently — home support is based on clinical need, and the grant is based on your caregiving role.

Families often combine both: HSE-funded home support covers structured visits (personal care, meal prep, medication prompting), while the family carer handles everything in between. The grant recognises that unpaid caregiving work, which Family Carers Ireland estimates averages over 45 hours per week for full-time carers.

Half-Rate Carer's Allowance

If you're receiving another social welfare payment — such as a Jobseeker's payment, Disability Allowance, or State Pension — ask the Department of Social Protection whether you qualify for Half-Rate Carer's Allowance and how that affects your grant entitlement.

Timing and Payment Method

The grant arrives on the first Thursday of June. If your bank details change, update them with the Department of Social Protection. If the payment does not arrive, contact the Department or an Intreo centre rather than assuming that a separate application is required.

For help navigating the full range of carer supports alongside HSE home help — including the Carer's Allowance means test, income disregards, and Section 467 tax relief — see our Ireland Home Support guide.

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