Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2019

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Eligibility

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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447. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures in place regarding the exchange of information arrangements between her Department and the Revenue Commissioners in relation to persons' P60s who are in receipt of a means tested payment such as carer's allowance for a number of years and in circumstances in which a person or their spouse’s income increases after taking up employment and the person continues to be in receipt of the carer's allowance; the reason her Department does not have a mechanism in place to have an exchange of information with the Revenue Commissioners in order that persons can be notified early in relation to possible non-entitlement to carer's allowance such as in cases (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22352/19]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's Allowance (CA) is a means tested payment, made to people who are providing full-time care and attention to elderly people or to people with disabilities and whose income falls below certain limits. The principal conditions for receipt of the allowance are that full time care and attention is required and being provided and that the means test which applies is satisfied.

The means test is one of the least onerous in the social protection system. €332.50 of gross weekly income is disregarded in the calculation of means for a single person. The equivalent disregard for someone who is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting is €665 of combined gross weekly income. This means that a couple under 66 with two children, earning a joint annual income of up to €35,400 can qualify for maximum payment Carer’s Allowance. A couple with combined income or earning €59,300 will still qualify for the minimum rate.

In addition a carer may, with the prior permission of the Department, engage in employment outside the home for up to 15 hours per week. The caree must be adequately cared for in the carer's absence. Income from this employment would be assessable as means if the aggregate of all income exceeds the relevant disregard amounts.

As with any other social welfare payment there is an onus on the individual in receipt of the payment to contact the Department of Employment Affairs Social Protection and advise of any change in their personal circumstances. There are a number circumstances and events which may affect a person’s entitlement to a Carer's Allowance, including a change in their means. It is also important to note that a change in circumstances could mean an increase in a social welfare payment or a person may be entitled to different social welfare payment.

Issues relating to the tax treatment of social welfare payments, including income contained on P60s, is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. There are however a number of social welfare payments including Carer’s Allowance which, depending on a person’s circumstances, may be liable to income tax. The Department of Employment Affairs Social Protection makes the payment to the individual without deducting tax. The Department does not give Revenue details of the taxable amount of the payment but does advise the individual to contact Revenue to confirm the taxable amount of the payment.

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