Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 186A

Payment of carer's allowance in certain circumstances

Section 186A deals with a supplementary payment to carers who are providing full-time care.

• A carer may receive this payment only if they are habitually resident in the State, with the amount payable being half the rate calculated under the standard formula (section 181).
• Only one payment may be made per carer per week for caring for a particular person, and no payment is made if someone is already receiving carer's benefit for the same care recipient.
• The care recipient themselves cannot receive this payment, and the carer is disqualified if they are working, in education or training, or receiving certain other social welfare payments.
• The Minister may make regulations permitting carers to engage in limited employment, self-employment, or education while still receiving the payment.