The €2,000 Carer’s Support Grant opens for applications this month, with payments due in June
Thousands of eligible people in Ireland are set to receive a grant of €2,000 in the first week of June
Applications are now to open for a once-off social welfare grant of €2,000 which will be paid out later this year.
The Carer’s Support Grant is distributed in June of each year. If you’re caring for multiple people, a grant is provided for each person under your care.
The grant is issued on the first Thursday of June, so this year it will be paid on June 4. It is automatically given to those receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Even if you’re not receiving one of these payments, you may still be eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant.
You can apply for a Carer’s Support Grant for any given year from April of that year until December 31 of the following year. For instance, you can apply for the Carer’s Support Grant in 2026 at any time from April 2026 up until 31 December 2027.
Here’s everything you need to know about the payment:
What is the Carer’s Support Grant?
The Carer’s Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). It used to be called the Respite Care Grant.
You can use the grant in whatever way you like. You can use it to pay for respite care, but you don’t have to.
When is the Carer’s Support Grant paid?
The Carer’s Support Grant will be paid on June 4, 2026.
The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual benefit designed to recognise the hard work and dedication of those who provide full-time care to loved ones(Image: Getty Images)
Who is eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant?
The Carer’s Support Grant is automatically paid to individuals receiving one of the following payments on the first Thursday in June:
Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate)Carer’s BenefitDomiciliary Care Allowance
The Carer’s Support Grant is not a means-tested payment. Even if you’re not receiving one of these payments, you may still qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant.
You must be:
Aged 16 or overOrdinarily resident in IrelandCaring for the person on a full-time basisCaring for the person for at least 6 months (this 6-month period must include the first Thursday in June)Living with the person being cared for (or if you don’t live with them, you must meet certain criteria – for example, the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)
During this 6-month caring period, you cannot:
Work more than 18.5 hours per week (as an employee or in self-employment)Take part in an education or training course for more than 18.5 hours a weekGet Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s BenefitSign on for credited contributionsLive in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution
If your baby or child is hospitalised or in another institution for medical treatment, you might be eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant. To receive the grant, your baby or child must qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
How to apply for the Carer’s Support Grant
If you are receiving Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, there’s no need to apply for the Carer’s Support Grant. It will automatically be granted to you in June.
If you’re not receiving any of the aforementioned payments, you should complete a Carer’s Support Grant application form (CSG1) for each individual you are caring for.
You can also obtain the application form from your local:
When to apply
You can submit an application for a Carer’s Support Grant for any given year from April of that year until 31 December of the subsequent year.
For instance: You can apply for the Carer’s Support Grant for 2025 at any time from April 2025 up until 31 December 2026. You can apply for the Carer’s Support Grant in 2026 at any time from April 2026 up until 31 December 2027.
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