Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.
To qualify, the child must have a severe disability that is likely to last for at least 1 year and:
- Be aged under 16 (at 16, the child can apply for a Disability Allowance - see 'How to apply' below for more information)
- Live at home with the person claiming the allowance for 5 or more days a week - see 'Half-rate payment' below
- Meet the medical criteria - see below
- Be ordinarily resident in the State
In addition, the person claiming the allowance for the child must:
Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability from 16 years of age. If you are in education when you turn 16, you can continue to attend school.
To qualify for Disability Allowance (DA) you must:
- Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year
- As a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications
- Be aged between 16 and 66. When you reach 66 years of age you no longer qualify for DA, but you are assessed for a State pension.
- Satisfy a means test
- Satisfy the habitual residence condition.