Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability. The child must need ongoing care and attention substantially over and above that usually needed by a child of the same age. The payment is not means-tested and is not based on the type of disability. To qualify for DCA, a child must have "a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age".
Receiving DCA does not affect your entitlement to Child Benefit, and you may qualify for Carers Benefit or Carers Allowance if you meet the other conditions. People receiving DCA do not need to fill out the medical form when applying for Carers Allowance. You can also claim a Carers Support Grant, which is paid automatically each year during the month of June.
To apply for DCA, you need to fill in a Domiciliary Care Allowance form, which you can request online from gov.ie or get from your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office or local Citizens Information Service. If your application is refused, you can appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days of getting the decision.
