Carers in Waterford to benefit from improvements to Carer’s Allowance

Carers in Waterford will benefit from significant improvements to the Carer’s Allowance means test starting today according to Fine Gael Minister John Cummins.

The weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance will increase from €625 to €1,000 per week for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 per week for a couple - meaning a two-adult household earning up to roughly €110,000 will now keep their full Carer's Allowance payment, rising to around €138,000 for a partial payment. The changes will result in thousands of carers qualifying for a payment for the first time, while existing carers on a reduced rate will see their payment increase.

A single carer working part-time can earn up to €50,000 and retain their full Carer’s Allowance Payment. The disregard is over double the average earnings for part-time workers.

Furthermore, the increases make the scheme accessible to more carers who may not have previously qualified for Carer’s Allowance due to their means.

The changes announced mean that almost 2,700 carers will receive an increase in their Carer’s Allowance payment from this week. Virtually all of those in receipt of Carer’s are now being paid the maximum rate of payment.

Minister Cummins said: “These changes to the means test will make a real difference to carers who previously weren’t previously eligible for support. Many more carers will now qualify for the allowance, and those on reduced payments will finally receive what they deserve.

"This is something Fine Gael committed to in the last general election and the abolition of the means test was included in the programme for government which I had the honour of negotiating on behalf of my party. I’m glad to see the largest increase ever in the carers means test, which is an enormous step towards removal in its entirety.

“Carers are the backbone of our communities, providing around the clock care in many cases. It is only right and proper that their work is rightly acknowledged and that they are properly supported.”

Minister Cummins encouraged anyone who may now qualify for Carer's Allowance, or who believes their payment rate may increase, to contact their local Intreo office, visit gov.ie for further information or contact his constituency offices in Waterford City or Dungarvan.