There are a variety of benefits that might apply to you, as a caregiver so it is worth investigating some of the following:
- Carer's Allowance: This is a means-tested payment to people who are looking after someone who is in need of support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness. It is mainly aimed at carers on low incomes who love with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention. You will also qualify for the Household Benefits Package and a Free Travel Pass.
- Carer's Benefit: This is a payment made to insured persons in Ireland who leave the workforce to care for a person in need of full time care and attention. You can get Carer's Benefit for a total period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for.
- Carer's Leave: This allows employees to leave their employment temporarily for a period up to 104 weeks to provide full-time care and attention. The leave will be unpaid but those who propose to avail of Carer's Leave will have their jobs kept open for them for the duration of the leave.
- Respite Care Grant: This is an annual payment made to carers. Carers can use the grant in whatever way they wish. You can use the grant to pay for respite care if you wish, but it is not necessary to do so. This grant is paid automatically to people receiving Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit.
- Home Care Package: If you need a professional home care service you may get help from the HSE under the Home Care Package which you may use to employ caregivers. Home care supports under this scheme operate differently in different parts of the country. In some areas, the HSE directly provides care services at home or arranges for their provision by voluntary organisations or by private home care providers such as Home Instead Senior Care.
For more information on allowances and entitlements for caregivers, contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office and ask for a FREE copy of the Irish Pensioners Handbook 2011.