Operational Guidelines: Domiciliary Care Allowance

BREXIT impacts

Ireland / United Kingdom Social Security arrangements from 1st January 2021

The European Union and the United Kingdom agreed a Trade & Cooperation Agreement which contains a Protocol on Social Security to take effect from 1st January 2021. The Protocol provides for a wide range of social security issues into the future. On the 31st December 2020, the Convention on Social Security agreed between Ireland and the United Kingdom was commenced. Together these Agreements ensure, that all existing social security arrangements for Irish & UK citizens are maintained into the future. Ireland as an EU Member State, will extend on a unilateral basis the advantages of the Convention to Union citizens, as required.

For Brexit-related information see:

• www.gov.ie/brexit

For information on social welfare entitlements see:

• Brexit Information
• FAQs on DFA about Brexit

Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child, aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires ongoing (continual or continuous) care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required (in excess of that required) by a child of the same age. The child is likely to require full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. There are no PRSI conditions and it is not means tested.

Domiciliary Care Allowance - SW127 is available from Intreo Centres, Citizens Information Centres, on www.gov.ie or from DCA Section Longford.

The main legislative basis for the scheme is provided for in Chapter 8A of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 (as inserted by section 15 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2008), Sections 186B to 186H.

The medical criteria as set out in the Act require that "the child has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age".

Regulations

The main regulations are contained in Chapter 5A of Part 3 the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 (Articles 140A to 140F), otherwise known as S.I. 142 of 2007

The scheme is administered from Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford.

You may qualify to receive the allowance for a child under 16 with a disability if:

• you are providing for the care of the child
• the child meets the medical criteria
• the level of care is likely to be required for at least 12 months
• Both you and the child are ordinarily resident in the State. This means that you both live in the Republic of Ireland and only leave Ireland for holidays
• the child normally lives at home with you for at least 5 or more days a week, and
• the child is not detained in a children's detention school, in residential care or other placement
• payment is not made for a child who lives full time in residential care or in other placements

However, a half rate payment can be made for a child in residential care; who goes home for two or more days a week. For example, a child who attends residential services from Monday to Friday and goes home at weekends

All children require a certain amount of care and attention but children with severe disabilities may require substantially more care and attention.

To qualify for DCA a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and / or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age without the disability. This care and attention must be given by another person, almost all of the time, so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Role of Departmental Medical Assessors

Departmental Medical Assessors assess medical eligibility for DCA and determine whether the criteria of continual, continuous care and attention, substantially in excess of that required by a child of the same age have been satisfied. These Medical Assessors make a recommendation to a Deciding Officer as to whether the child meets the medical eligibility criteria or not.

Eligibility for DCA is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. As such it is not possible to say if a particular child or any particular condition / disability will qualify for a payment under the scheme. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

The Department's Medical Assessor will take the following into account before giving their opinion on whether the child meets the medical criteria:

• review the history of the case
• consider all medical reports received and other evidence provided
• have regard to the description of the care and attention required by the child given by the parent / guardian

The decision on eligibility is made by a Deciding Officer who considers all the evidence supplied to support the case and the opinion of the Medical Assessor.

Definitions

The definition of "medical" used is the modern definition. It therefore includes the physical, psychological and social aspects of the condition.

The definition of “disability” used is the World Health Organisation definition below. This is based on the importance of including the word “impairment” and to make sure the definition is suitable for children.

The definition of “impairment” used by the World Health Organisation is:

The Oxford English Dictionary description of “severe” is used, that is, serious, critical, extreme in an unpleasant way. These phrases describe the nature of eligible disabilities.

The provision of care and attention for DCA must be “continuous” or “continual”. The definitions of both words appear to allow for “brief” interruptions to the care and attention being provided. Care and attention needs do not meet the eligibility criteria if they relate solely and individually to bringing a child to school or to social activities or helping with homework.

The definition of “substantial” as described in the Oxford English Dictionary is “of large size or amount”. This is the definition used in respect of the degree of care and attention that is required because of the child’s severe disability.

An awareness of what type / level of care is required by children of different ages is required in order to establish what is “substantially in excess”. To assist the Medical Assessor, a guide to the normal age of attainment of certain activities is published by the centre for disease control and can be accessed via these links below.

Age 0-5: CDC's Developmental Milestones | Learn the Signs. Act Early. | CDC

Age 4-11: Information About Young Children (Ages 4-11) | Parent Information | CDC

Age 11 – 17: Essentials for Parenting Teens | Essentials for Parenting Teens | CDC

In addition, the person claiming the allowance for the child must provide for the care of the child and also be habitually resident in the State. The term "habitually resident" is not defined in either Irish or EU law, but it is intended to convey a degree of permanence evidenced by a regular physical presence enduring for some time, beginning at a date usually in the past and intended to continue for a period into the foreseeable future. It implies a close association between the applicant and the country from which payment is claimed and relies heavily on fact.

To satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) you must:

• have the right to live in the state with permission to access social welfare services

And

• show that you are habitually resident using the five factors outlined in legislation

The following are the five factors taken into consideration in relation to Habitual Residency:

• length and continuity of residence in Ireland or in any other particular country
• length and purpose of any absence from Ireland
• nature and pattern of employment
• applicant's main centre of interest
• future intentions of applicant as they appear from all the circumstances

Please see guidelines Habitual Residence Condition.

Payment for children in another EU State

DCA is payable under EU regulations in respect of qualified children resident in another EU/EEA member state. The amount of DCA payable by the Department of Social Protection will depend on whether there is entitlement to Family Benefits from another EU/EEA State in respect of the same child. The claim should be made in the country of work which contacts the other country to ensure that the full entitlement is received.

The DCA rate is €380.00 per month (2025). There is no restriction on the number of children in respect of whom DCA can be claimed.

Payment is made on the third Tuesday of every month for the current month. Payment may be made through a Post Office of the applicant’s choice by Social Welfare swipe card (E.I.T.), alternatively, the allowance may be paid by electronic fund transfer (E.F.T.) into his/her account in a financial institution. Any arrears of payment due may be included in the normal method of payment or paid by cheque.

DCA is payable as long as all the qualifying conditions are satisfied and the person is not disqualified from receipt of the Allowance, for example, ceases to provide full-time care and attention, child no longer requires the level of care, the child reached age 16, or leaves the State.

Children who are being cared for on a full time basis in residential homes or other institutions are not eligible for the allowance. However, children in residential care who go home may receive a half rate payment if they are at home for 2 days or more a week, for example, a child who attends residential services from Monday to Friday and goes home at weekends.

Payment may continue for a period not longer than 26 weeks in a twelve-month period, in circumstances where a child is admitted to an institution on a full-time basis, for the purpose of receiving medical or other treatment of a temporary nature.

DCA is payable for a period not longer than 18 months in circumstances where a child born on or after 1 January 2023, remains in hospital immediately after birth or, is transferred to another hospital for medical or other treatment.

The allowance is not payable in respect of any periods that you or your child are living outside the state, unless in respect of short term/holiday absences as provided for by the relevant legislation.

You will also qualify for a Carer’s Support Grant; this is an annual payment to persons who provide full-time care and attention to others and is paid in June of each year. You do not have to apply for this grant but will receive it automatically if in receipt of DCA in June. This grant is paid at a fixed amount per eligible child.

“Since January 2019, DCA can be paid in respect of child under a joint custody agreement, resides with and is cared for, in turn, by two persons who are living apart. The qualified child will be regarded as residing with the nominated person and the allowance will be paid to that person, and where no nominated person is provided, Domiciliary Care Allowance will be paid to the person to whom Child Benefit is payable in respect of that child.”

You should apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance as soon as you believe your child meets the medical eligibility criteria. If your application is disallowed because sufficient medical evidence was not available at the time, you can request a review of the decision once new medical information becomes available. Applying as soon as you believe your child meets the criteria helps ensure your application is considered from the earliest possible date.

The quickest and easiest way to apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance is through MyWelfare. All you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get verified a MyGovID account if you have a Public Service Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.

Learn how to sign up for MyGovID here.

Alternatively, you can complete a DomCare1 form which can be downloaded from www.gov.ie. Application forms are available in Intreo Centres or Citizens Information Centres. You should complete this application form and have your child’s G.P./Specialist complete a DCAMed1 form. Please ensure that you attach any reports or assessments relevant to your child’s disability and the impact it has on their care needs.

If your child has a pervasive development disorder (PDD) (see below), you MAY wish to have the medical professional/specialist dealing with your child complete an additional medical form DomCare3* available on www.gov.ie. The completed form will detail your child’s conditions, any specific care needs your child might have as a result of their disability and will assist the Department’s medical assessor in forming an opinion on eligibility.

Pervasive Development disorder (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett’s Syndrome are generally referred to under this category.

*Please Note:

Completion of the Dom Care 3 form (additional medical information) is optional. In some instances, medical professionals may have already provided a comprehensive report on your child’s medical condition and resultant care needs and in these circumstances, the report will serve the same purpose as the DomCare3 form. However, if you do not have a recent report/s from your child’s treating medical professional, the DomCare3 form can provide additional information to the Department to allow for the correct decision to be made on your DCA application.

You should apply as soon as you consider that you and your child satisfy the qualifying conditions.

Note:

If you delay in applying, you will, subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions for the scheme, usually get Domiciliary Care Allowance from the month after we get your application.

In some circumstances, the payment can be backdated for up to 6 months if good cause for the delay in applying can be shown.

Where the delay in applying arose because of incorrect information supplied by staff of the Department, or if you were incapacitated by illness or infirmity, backdating may be considered.

Lack of knowledge of the scheme by itself is not regarded as a sufficient reason for not claiming in time.

More detailed information on back-dating of late claims can be found at gov.ie - Operational Guidelines: Claims and Late Claims

The quickest and easiest way to apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance is through MyWelfare. All you need is a verified MyGovID account. You can get verified MyGovID account if you have a Public Service Card, a verified mobile phone number and an email address.

Learn how to sign up for MyGovID here.

Alternatively, you can print and complete the application form (DOMCare1) and send it with the DCAMed1 form to:

Domiciliary Care Allowance
Department of Social Protection

Government Buildings

Ballinalee Road

Longford

N39 E4E0

Online application Process

• you can access the online application form through MyWelfare
• complete the online Application form. Your application will be saved as you move through the application process, and you do not have to complete it in one sitting. You can return to the online application at any stage for up to 21 days before submitting the application. After 21 days you will not be able to submit your application, and you will have to commence a new application
• please ensure that you have your GP/Specialist complete the DCAMed1form before you commence the online application, as DCA Section will not be able to process your application without it. You can upload the form to MyWelfare, along with medical reports or other supporting documentation that you think helps explain your child’s care needs. Alternatively, you can forward the DCAMed1 and supporting documentation by post to the address above. Please note: we will not be able to process your application until we have received the DCAMed1 form
• you will receive a notification to your MyWelfare account from DCA Section once you submit your online application

Paper application Process

• application form DOM Care 1, DCAMed1 (Medical Form) and Information leaflet SW127 can be obtained via the Departments Website, www.gov.ie, any Intreo Centre, Citizens Information Centre or DCA Section in Longford
• complete the application form Dom Care 1, and have your GP/Specialist complete the DCAMed1, and include medical reports or other supporting documentation that you think helps explain your child’s care needs
• if you give us a mobile phone number, we will send you a text message to confirm receipt of your application by the Department

Post Application Process

• please note that as your child will not be physically examined by the Department Medical Assessor (MA), they will assess your child’s care needs based on the medical and other information you provide. It is therefore important that you detail your child’s care needs in a comprehensive but concise manner. This will ensure the MA will have all the necessary information available to them
• yur application, including any additional information you provide, will then be examined by a Medical Assessor, who will provide an opinion to the Deciding Officer as to whether your child meets the medical criteria for the scheme
• the Deciding Officer having received the opinion of the Medical Assessor will consider the application in its entirety and make a decision on whether you qualify for DCA or not. You will receive notification of the Deciding Officer’s decision in writing
• in the notification you receive, you will be advised of the Deciding Officer’s decision. If the application is allowed, you will be advised when and how payment will be made. If the decision is to disallow your application, you will be told the reason for the disallowance and given the right to have the decision reviewed and/or you can appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO)
• should you request a review of or appeal a disallow decision, and supply new or additional medical information, your application may be sent for a review opinion by another Medical Assessor, together with any new or additional medical or other information received
• when the Medical Assessor’s opinion is known, a revised decision will be considered by the Deciding Officer if necessary
• if you appeal the case, the Appeals Officer in reaching their decision will provide a reason for their decision in each case, for your information and that of the Deciding Officer

Claims are decided by Deciding Officers appointed by the Minister under Section 299 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. They are independent in the exercise of their function in deciding on entitlement to DCA.

A written notification of the decision is issued to the claimant. Claimants are also advised of their right of appeal against a Deciding Officer's decision.

Any decision of a Deciding Officer may be subsequently revised by a Deciding Officer in the light of new information or evidence. This could arise where new information is made available as part of an appeal by the claimant. In such circumstances, a Deciding Officer may revise a decision on entitlement if it is to the advantage of the claimant. There is also a right of appeal against a revised decision.

In the case of an application which is disallowed on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The easiest and quickest way to make an appeal is online on mywelfare.ie once you have a verified MyGovID account. Alternatively, you can download an appeals form called an SWAO1 form on gov.ie and post the completed form to Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, within 60 days of notification of the Deciding Officer's decision. The Appeals Officer can decide the matter summarily or may deal with the case by way of an oral hearing.