- New scheme to improve access to the Contributory State Pension for long-term carers
- Carers can now register their caring periods on MyWelfare.ie
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has this week announced a new scheme to improve access to the State Pension (Contributory) for long-term carers (those caring for over 20 years for incapacitated dependents).
The new Long Term Carers Contributions scheme makes it easier for a long term carer to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).
Any period in which a carer is registered as providing care to a person who has a disability that requires full-time care and attention, can be included in their pay-related social insurance (PRSI) record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. To avail of these changes, a minimum of 20 years of Long-Term Carers contributions are required.
Carers can now apply for Long-Term Carers contributions at MyWelfare.ie.
Commenting on the new scheme, Minister Humphreys said “I am delighted to announce this scheme, which will ensure that long-term carers of dependents are provided with contributions for gaps in their social insurance record for the first time in the history of the State. This will help ensure that thousands of people, mainly women, who have spent time caring for incapacitated loved ones will now be able to qualify for the Contributory State Pension”.
North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea said “I encourage all carers to register their caring periods at MyWelfare.ie, so that in cases where they have cared for a loved one for over 20 years, their pension entitlement reflects their important contribution to their family and to society by the time they reach pension age”.
