Need to know
The annual payment will land in accounts within a matter of weeks – here’s the full list of people who are eligible and everything you need to know about the €2,000 sum
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The Carer’s Support Grant is set to be paid out in a matter of weeks, with the lump sum due to land in accounts on the first Thursday of June. This year, that will be the 4th – here’s everything you need to know about it and who can claim.
- The Department of Social Protection (DSP) pays the Carer’s Support Grant to carers once a year. It was previously known as the Respite Care Grant. The grant can be used however you see fit. While it can be used to cover respite care costs, it isn’t mandatory to do so. Only one Carer’s Support Grant can be paid per person receiving care.
- It is automatically given to those receiving Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate), Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance. More recipients are set to benefit from the payment as one of the automatic schemes will alter its criteria this year.
- In July 2026, the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will be raised by €375 to €1,000 for a single person, and by €750 to €2,000 for a couple. More people will be able to claim Carer’s Allowance, and therefore the Carer’s Support Grant going forward.
- The grant is usually paid out on the first Thursday of June, meaning in 2026 recipients can expect to be paid on the 4th of June. Applications are now open for those who aren’t paid automatically.
- If you’re receiving Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, there’s no need to apply for the Carer’s Support Grant. It will be automatically credited to you in June.
- However, if you’re not receiving any of the aforementioned benefits, you should complete a Carer’s Support Grant application form (pdf) for each individual you are caring for.
- You have the option to apply for a Carer’s Support Grant for any specific year from April of that year until 31 December of the subsequent year.
- In 2026, the Carer’s Support Grant will be €2,000.
For full details on the Carer’s Support Grant, click here.
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