Carer?s allowance boost for welfare recipients

By Sean McMahon

People in receipt of social welfare income can now qualify for up to half the carer's allowance and still hold onto their primary social welfare payment, according to Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD, Margaret Conlon.

This new initiative was announced in last December's Budget and came into effect last week.

“Until now, a carer could receive either the carer's allowance or another social welfare income. This has now changed and many carers in Cavan and Monaghan should now enquire whether they're entitled to benefit under the new rules,'' said Deputy Conlon.

For example, if a widow is caring for an elderly parent or a member of the family with a disability, she may now be able to get half the carer's allowance and still hold onto her widow's pension.

“Day in day out, carers carry out invaluable work in our communities and save taxpayers millions of euro each year,” said Deputy Conlon. “Their work is now being properly rewarded.  'I'm delighted that the carer's allowance is being extended to include people already on a social welfare income.”

People who feel they may be eligible under the new rules should contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs information services on 189066 22 44 or visit www.welfare.ie.

“I'd urge anyone who works as a carer in any capacity to examine the scheme's rules to establish whether they might benefit from the new initiative,” concluded Deputy Conlon.