Full eligibility for €2,000 social welfare payment as date confirmed

The annual Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000 will be paid on 4th June 2026 to those receiving qualifying benefits, with others also eligible to apply.

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The Carer’s Support Grant is due to be distributed to thousands of recipients in the coming months, with the payment date now confirmed.

Those receiving three particular payments from the Department of Social Protection will receive the Carer’s Support Grant automatically, though others may also qualify and can submit an application.

Here’s everything you need to know, including the full list of people who can claim the grant.

What is the Carer’s Support Grant?

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). It used to be called the Respite Care Grant, reports RSVP Live.

You can use the grant in whatever way you like. You can use it to pay for respite care, but you don’t have to.

When is it paid?

The Carer’s Support Grant will be paid on 4th June 2026.

Full list of people who can claim

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid automatically to people getting one of the following payments on the first Thursday in June:

• Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate)
• Carer’s Benefit
• Domiciliary Care Allowance.

The Carer’s Support Grant is not a means-tested payment.

If you are not getting one of these payments, you can still qualify for 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 6-month period must include the first Thursday in June)
• Living with the person being cared for (or if you don’t live with them, you must meet certain criteria – for example, the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)

During this 6-month caring period, you cannot:

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

How much is the Carer’s Support Grant?

In 2025, the Carer’s Support Grant will be €2,000.

In 2024, the Carer’s Support Grant was €1,850.

You can get a Carer’s Support Grant for each person you are caring for.

How to apply

If you are getting Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the Carer’s Support Grant. You will automatically get it in June.

If you are not getting one of the above payments, you should fill in a Carer’s Support Grant application form (pdf) for each person you are caring for.

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