Practical Help

Carers

CARER'S BENEFIT

Carer’s Benefit is a state payment that may be payable to those who take time off work in order to care for a family member who is medically certified as needing full-time care and attention. However, the person claiming Carer’s Benefit has to satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions, and must not be employed outside the home for more than 15 hours a week while they are receiving the benefit payment. Details of the eligibility criteria for this benefit can to be found on the website of the Department of Social and Family Affairs www.welfare.ie

Carer’s benefit is payable for a total of two years and can be claimed for a continuous period or for separate periods up to a total of two years.

It should be applied for 10 weeks in advance to allow time for eligibility to be assessed.

CARER’S LEAVE

If you leave the workforce to care for a person in need of full-time care and attention you may be entitled to unpaid temporary leave from your employment under the terms of the Carer’s Leave Act.

For more information contact the Employment Rights Information Unit at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Tel: 01 6313131 or 1890 201615 from outside the 01 area or go to the Department’s website at www.entemp.ie

CARER'S ALLOWANCE

Carer’s Allowance is a state payment that is payable a person on limited income who looks after someone in need of full-time care and attention for a minimum of 12 months. To qualify the carer must be over 18 years and must satisfy a means test. More information is available on www.welfare.ie and application forms are available at local Social Welfare Offices or Citizens Information Centres.

RESPITE CARE GRANT

This is an annual payment of €1,500(2007)which is paid in June to carers who are looking after someone in need of full-time care and attention. If you are caring for a person on a full-time basis and have been, or are likely to be, providing full-time care for at least six months and this period includes the first Thursday in June you may be eligible for this payment. Payment is made regardless of the carer’s means.More information is available from the website of the Department of Social and Family Affairs www.welfare.ie

People in receipt of Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance will automatically get the Respite Care Grant and do not have to apply separately for it.

RESPITE CARE

Your Public Health Nurse will advise you about respite care provisions.