Carer's Benefit Ireland 2026 — €259/week, PRSI-based, up to 2 years
Carer's Benefit in Ireland
Carer's Benefit pays €259 per week for up to 2 years to people who leave work to care for someone full-time. Unlike Carer's Allowance, it is based on your PRSI record — no means test. Here is who qualifies, the contribution requirements, and how to apply.
Carer's Benefit — At a glance
- Weekly rate
- €259/week
- Duration
- Up to 2 years (per care recipient)
- Means-tested
- No — PRSI-based
- PRSI required
- 156 paid + 39 in relevant year
- Work allowed
- Up to 18.5 hrs/week
- Taxable
- No
Key facts — Carer's Benefit 2026
Carer's Benefit vs Carer's Allowance — which should you claim?
| Carer's Benefit | Carer's Allowance | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate (under 66) | €259/week | €246/week |
| PRSI required? | Yes — 156 contributions | No |
| Means test? | No | Yes |
| Duration | Max 2 years per care recipient | No fixed limit |
| Work allowed | Up to 18.5 hrs/week | Up to 18.5 hrs/week |
| After it ends | May switch to Carer's Allowance | Ongoing — reviewed periodically |
Who qualifies for Carer's Benefit?
- You are under 66
- You leave work or reduce to 18.5 hours or fewer per week to provide full-time care
- You have at least 156 paid PRSI contributions in total
- You have at least 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions in the relevant tax year
- The person you are caring for is so incapacitated they require full-time care and attention
- You are not already receiving another social welfare payment that exceeds Carer's Benefit
How to apply for Carer's Benefit
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Get form CR2 completed by the care recipient's GP
The GP of the person you are caring for must confirm their level of incapacity and care need on form CR2. This is required for all carer payments.
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Get your employer to complete their section
Your employer must confirm you are leaving work or reducing hours to care for someone. Complete the CARB1 employer section and have it signed before submission.
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Submit form CARB1
Complete and submit the full CARB1 form (with employer section and CR2 medical certificate) to your local Intreo Centre or the Carer's Benefit section of the Department of Social Protection.
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Receive payment
If approved, Carer's Benefit is paid weekly to your bank account. You also receive the Carer's Support Grant of €1,850 automatically every June.
Caring for two people
You can receive Carer's Benefit for two people simultaneously — but only if you are providing full-time care to both at the same time and in the same location. You receive two separate payments (2 × €259 = €518/week), and each 2-year clock runs separately per care recipient.
Frequently asked questions
What is Carer's Benefit?
A PRSI-based payment of €259/week for people who leave work to care for someone full-time. Not means-tested. Paid for up to 2 years per care recipient.
How much is Carer's Benefit in 2026?
€259 per week for up to 104 weeks (2 years) per care recipient. Caring for 2 people simultaneously gives €518/week.
Who qualifies?
People under 66 who leave work (or reduce to 18.5 hrs/week) to provide full-time care, with at least 156 paid PRSI contributions and 39 in the relevant tax year.
What is the difference between Carer's Benefit and Carer's Allowance?
Benefit: PRSI-based, €259/week, no means test, max 2 years. Allowance: means-tested, €246/week (under 66), no PRSI required, ongoing. Claim Benefit first if you have the contributions.
What PRSI contributions are needed?
156 paid contributions in total and 39 paid or credited in the relevant tax year. Classes A, B, C, D, E, H and S count.
Can I work while on Carer's Benefit?
Yes — up to 18.5 hours per week outside the home, provided adequate care is in place during those hours.
How do I apply?
Complete form CARB1 with the care recipient's GP medical report (CR2) and employer confirmation. Submit to your local Intreo Centre.
- Carer's Benefit is not means-tested — your income, savings and assets have no effect on the payment. This is the key difference from Carer's Allowance.
- It pays more than Carer's Allowance (€259 vs €246/week). If you have the PRSI contributions, claim Carer's Benefit first — after 2 years, you can switch to Carer's Allowance if you satisfy the means test.
- Carer's Benefit only lasts 2 years maximum per care recipient. It is not an ongoing payment like Carer's Allowance.
- Working more than 18.5 hours in any week means you lose Carer's Benefit for that entire week — there is no partial reduction. It is an all-or-nothing rule.
- You automatically receive the Carer's Support Grant (€1,850/year) in June while on Carer's Benefit — you do not need to apply separately for it.
- You can care for 2 people simultaneously and receive two payments (€518/week total), but both care recipients must require full-time care in the same location.
Official sources
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Carer's Benefit rates and eligibility rules.