Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Long-Term Carers Contributions make it easier for a carer to qualify for the State Pension Contributory. Any period in which a carer is registered as providing full time care to an incapacitated person can be included in their social insurance (PRSI) record. Once a carer has reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years) of Long-Term Carers Contributions, these contributions will be included in the calculation for their State Pension Contributory.

The quickest way to apply for any Pension Carers Supports is online at www.MyWelfare.ie The customer must have a verified MyGov account to use MyWelfare.ie. If a customer is unable to complete the online application process, they can contact the Department directly via telephone or email and an application form will be issued to them.

Once an application is received by the Department, if supporting information is available, a customer can expect to receive a decision in 4-6 weeks. If an application is received from a customer who was not in receipt of a caring payment from the Department in relation to the care they were providing, the Department will use the information provided by the customer in order to establish if they meet the conditions of the scheme and a decision will issue once this has been determined.

The number of successful and unsuccessful applications from 01/09/23 to 24/04/24 is set out in the following table.