Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
391. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if people in receipt of carer's benefit are informed in adequate time before the payment ceases to enable them to submit an application form for carer's allowance to avoid a period of no payment. [6601/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce or reduce their working hours to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.
To qualify, the carer must satisfy PRSI conditions, employment conditions, show that they are providing full-time care and attention and must show that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention.
When a Carer’s Benefit claim is awarded, the award letter states the dates that the claim has been awarded to and from. This letter serves as the notification of the dates that the claim payment starts and ends, and no further notification is issued.
Carer’s Benefit is a short-term scheme payable for up to 104 weeks to a carer, in respect of a care recipient. The Award letter states what is required to extend the claim payment if the claim is awarded for less than the full 104 weeks Carer’s Benefit entitlement in respect of this care recipient.
If the claim is awarded for the full 104 weeks, claimants are advised in the award letter that at the end of this period, their maximum entitlement of 104 weeks for the named career will have been exhausted. It advises that if there is still a requirement for full time care, it is open to the carer to apply for Carer’s Allowance and that Carer’s Allowance claims should be made 3 months prior to Carer’s Benefit expiring. At all stages, the claimant is informed of the right to Review or Appeal the decision.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
