Helpful Information About Financial Supports
Domicillary Care Allowance
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment provided by the Irish government to parents or guardians of children who have serious care needs. It helps cover the additional expenses involved in caring for a child with a disability. Eligibility depends on the level of the child's care needs, not on household income, as the allowance is not means-tested. For further details, click here.
Disability Allowance
Disability Allowance is a social welfare payment paid to eligible people from 16 years of age. For more information about Disability Allowance please click here.
Carer's Benefit/AllowanceÂ
Carer’s Benefit is a payment for eligible individuals who need to take time off work or reduce their working hours to provide full-time care to someone in need. You can receive this benefit if you meet the social contribution and other conditions. For more information on Carer's Benefit click here.
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Carer’s Allowance is a payment for people on low incomes who provide full-time care to someone who needs support
For more information on Carer’s Allowance click here.
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The main difference between these payments are:
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Carer’s Allowance
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Means-tested (based on your income and assets)
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You do not need to have worked previously
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Can be paid long-term, as long as eligibility continue
Carer’s Benefit
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Not means-tested, but you must have paid enough PRSI (social insurance) contributions
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Aimed at people who are leaving work or reducing hours to care for someone
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Paid for a limited time – up to 2 years (104 weeks) per person cared for
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Often used for short- to medium-term care breaks from employment