Verified means test

Carer's Allowance estimate

An indicative 2026 personal-rate calculation for one person providing full-time care. The Department assesses the care need, residence, means and final rate.

Use weekly income after permitted deductions: employee PRSI, union dues and qualifying pension or retirement contributions. Do not subtract ordinary household bills.

Basic conditions

The carer is aged 18 or overThe full-time care need has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 monthsThe person needs continual supervision or frequent help throughout the dayThe carer satisfies the habitual residence condition

Carer's age bandHousehold situationCombined weekly income after allowed deductions (€)Weekly hours in work, education or trainingCarer's assessable capital (€)

Cases needing an official calculation

Tick any that apply.

Maintenance, a foreign payment, property income, transferred assets or another complex source of meansThe carer receives another social welfare payment or is included on someone else’s paymentThe household has dependent childrenThe carer provides full-time care to more than one person

I have reviewed and confirmed every answer and amount above. Show my indicative result.

Indicative personal rate

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Evidence and limits

Rule ca-2026.2 · effective 1 July 2026 · checked 8 September 2026. Income disregard: €1,000 single or €2,000 combined for a couple. Capital disregard: €50,000 for each assessed person. Maximum personal rate: €270 under 66 or €308 aged 66 and over.

The result applies the published €2.50 reduced-rate bands. It excludes Child Support Payments, half-rate Carer's Allowance, the 50% increase for caring for more than one person and case-specific disregards.

Official service page Operational guidelines Budget 2026 rates

Estimate only: A Department deciding officer makes the final means, care-need and entitlement decision. Do not delay an application because of this estimate.