From Department of Social Protection
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The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today announced a new scheme to improve access to the State Pension (Contributory) for long-term carers (those caring for over 20 years for incapacitated dependents).
The Minister also announced the details of the three lump sum cost-of living payments being paid this week.
The Minister made the announcements at a Family Carer’s Ireland local carer support group meeting in Baldoyle Community Hall, Dublin North.
The new Long Term Carers Contributions scheme makes it easier for a long term carer to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).
Any period in which a carer is registered as providing care to a person who has a disability that requires full-time care and attention, can be included in their pay-related social insurance (PRSI) record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. To avail of these changes, a minimum of 20 years of Long-Term Carers contributions are required.
Carers can now apply for Long-Term Carers contributions at MyWelfare.ie.
Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:
"I am delighted to announce this scheme, which will ensure that long-term carers of dependents are provided with contributions for gaps in their social insurance record for the first time in the history of the State.
"This will help ensure that thousands of people, mainly women, who have spent time caring for incapacitated loved ones will now be able to qualify for the Contributory State Pension.
"I encourage all carers to register their caring periods at MyWelfare.ie, so that in cases where they have cared for a loved one for over 20 years, their pension entitlement reflects their important contribution to their family and to society by the time they reach pension age.”
The Minister also announced the details of the three cost of living lump sum supports being paid this week. They are:
People will receive the lump sum payment in addition to and on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.
Commenting on this week’s lump-sum payments, the Minister said:
“I’m very pleased this week to announce the payment of the €400 Cost of Living lump sum for carers, which will help support approximately 120,000 carers and their families.
“This will be paid automatically on Thursday to those who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the standalone Carer’s Support Grant, at an estimated cost of almost €48 million.
“And on top of that, we are also this week paying out the €200 living alone allowance lump sum, supporting some 240,000 people.
“And finally this week, we will make a €100 payment to households in receipt of the Qualified Child Payment. This will benefit some 370,000 children and their families, putting more money in their pockets ahead of the Christmas period.”
In addition to the carer’s cost of living lump sum announced today, Minister Humphreys also secured increases to the weekly earnings disregard for Carer’s Allowance, effective from June 2024.
Commenting on this measure, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am particularly pleased to expand the reach of the Carer’s Allowance by increasing the weekly earnings disregards by €100 for a single person and €150 for a couple.
“From June 2024, the income disregard for the scheme will be €450 per week for a single person and €900 for a couple. This is the second time I have expanded the Carer’s means test since my appointment as Minister and it will mean thousands more carers will now qualify for a payment.”
The Long-Term Carers Contribution Scheme makes it easier for those who have cared for over 20 years for an incapacitated person to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory) when they reach pension age.
Under this scheme, any period in which a carer is registered as providing care to a person who has a disability that requires full-time care and attention, can be included in their pay-related social insurance (PRSI) record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes.
A minimum of 20 years Long-Term Carers contributions are required.
The quickest way to apply for a Long-Term Carers Contribution is online at MyWelfare.ie.
More information on this and other changes to the State Pension (Contributory) can be found at www.gov.ie/pension.
The Long-Term Carers Contribution scheme is contained in the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous) Bill 2023, which is currently in the Oireachtas and is expected to be enacted in December. In the interim individuals can continue to apply for the long term carers contributions at MyWelfare.ie.
These payments are part of 9 cost-of-living lump sums, secured as part of Budget 2024, which was the largest in the history of the State.
The lump sum payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension (paid week commencing 20 Nov) and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment , even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
All the lump sum and double payments are automatically paid - people do not need to apply for them.
More information on this and other Budget 2024 measures can be found at DSP Budget 24.