There were a number of changes to entitlements announced in the Budget 2025 and I highlight some that I think will impact our families.
Disability Allowance – Double weekly payment in October and a once-off payment of €400 on 4 November 2024. The weekly payment will proportionally increase by €12 in January 2025.
Domiciliary Care Allowance – Once-off payment of €400 in the week beginning 11 November 2024 and monthly payment will increase from €340 to €360 starting in January 2025.
Carer’s Support Grant– Once-off payment of €400 in the week beginning 11 November 2024 and will increase from €1,850 to €2,000 in June 2025.
Please note that the extra payments are automatic and parents don’t need to take any action. Also, my understanding is that Carer’s will receive only one payment of €400, even if you qualify for more than one of these payments or you care for more than one child.
Carer’s Allowance – Double weekly payment in October. The weekly payment will increase by €12 and a slight increase in the qualified child payment in January 2025. Income disregard will also increase to €625 for a single person and €1,250 for a couple (July 2025). Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance from January 2025 but parents still need to meet all the criteria.
Carer’s Benefit – The weekly payment will increase by €12 and a slight increase in the qualified child payment in January 2025. Self-employed parents for the first time ever will be able to claim Carer’s Benefit from January 2025.
Home Carer Credit – Will increase by €150 to €1,950.
Incapacitated Child Credit – Will increase by €300 to €3,800.
Lots of other changes have been announced and click on the link https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/e8315-budget-2025/ for a detail breakdown.