Budget 2025: Carer Allowance means test limits to increase as part of new measures
A person’s entitlement to the Carer’s Allowance is judged on their income. However, a certain part of their earnings are disregarded.
The Carer’s Allowance means test will be increased for both single people and couples under a Budget 2025 package secured by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
There have been continued calls for the means test to be increased. A person’s entitlement to the Carer’s Allowance is judged on their income. However, a certain part of their earnings are disregarded.
Some €450 of a single person’s total weekly income is not taken into account in the means test. This rises to €900 for someone who is married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting.
READ MORE: Budget 2025: Government agrees treble payment 'Baby Boost' for parents of newborns
Under Budget 2025, the Carer’s Allowance means test limits will increase to €625 per week for a single person and €1,250 per week for a couple.
There will be a €12 increase in weekly Carers Payments from January.
It is also understood that the Carer’s Support Grant will be increased to €2,000 and that the Carer’s Benefit will be extended to Self-Employed workers.
The Carer’s Allowance will be made a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance
It is also expected there will be a €400 Lump Sum Payment for Carers, two Double Payments for Carers in October and November and a €20 increase in the Domiciliary Care Allowance.
The Irish Mirror understands that Minister Humphreys secured a €2.7 billion social protection that will benefit pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and families.
There will be a total of 10 lump sum payments.
This will include:
October bonus double payment
Christmas bonus
€400 disability support grant
€400 carers support grant
€300 fuel allowance payment
November double child benefit
December double child benefit
€200 living alone allowance
€400 working family payment
€100 child support grant (formerly qualified child )
The total value of these lump sum payments will be in the region of €1.5bn.
Elsewhere, Minister Humphreys will increase the State Pension, the Jobseekers Allowance and other payments by €12.
She had been advocating for those who were long-term unemployed to receive lesser increases than those on the State pension.
However, there was significant pushback from Fianna Fáil and the Greens to the proposition.
Parents will also be the big winners in Budget 2025. There will be a “double double” Child Benefit payment that will see parents receive €280 per child in both November and December.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman also secured a treble “baby boost” payment that will see parents receive a special one-off payment of €420 paid out following the birth of a newborn.
Maternity and paternity benefit will also increase by €15 a week.
Meanwhile, all OAPs over the age of 70 will now be able to bring a loved one or friend on public transport free of charge under plans being spearheaded by Minister Humphreys. A universal companion pass for all over 70s will be announced as part of today’s Budget in a move that is set to benefit tens of thousands of older people.
At present, people over 70 can apply for a companion pass provided they satisfy a medical assessment. However, as part of the Budget, Minister Humphreys has secured agreement to make the pass universal for all over 70s.
Sources say the move is designed to tackle issues such as isolation and loneliness and will be effective in terms of keeping older people active in their golden years
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