Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer'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.

The person concerned was awarded CARB from 13 July 2023 and this payment ceased on 17 January 2024.

The January 2024 Bonus Double week was introduced as part of Budget 2024. All claimants in receipt of specified social welfare payments during week commencing 29 January 2024 to 4 February 2024 were entitled to the January Bonus Double week.

Carers in receipt of, or entitled to receive, Carer's Benefit on the 1 February 2024 were paid the January 2024 Bonus Double Week automatically on that date.

The person concerned contacted this scheme by post on 11 January 2024, to advise that the care recipient was admitted to long term care on 5 January 2024. Correspondence issued to the person concerned advising that their entitlement to Carer’s Benefit payment had ceased once full time care was no longer being provided. The CARB payment for the person concerned ceased on 17 January 2024.

As the person’s concerned CARB payment had ceased prior to 1 February 2024, they were not entitled to the January 2024 Bonus Double Week.

I hope this clarifies the matter.