Long-Term Carers Contribution Periods

Long-Term Carers Contribution Periods make it easier for a carer to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) when they reach pension age. Any period in which you are registered as providing care to an incapacitated person can be included in your pay-related social insurance (PRSI) record.

It is important to note that Long-Term Carers Contributions can only be used for State Pension (Contributory) once you have reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years).

If you have cared for someone full-time, you can apply for these contributions. You can be awarded a Long-Term Carers Contribution on your PRSI record for each week that you provided full-time care to an incapacitated person. These periods can only be used for State Pension (Contributory) once you have reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years).

To qualify, you must:

• have permanently lived in the State during the period of care (except where EU or posted worker). Further information on an EU or posted worker is available here
• have been aged between 16 or over and under pension age at the time you provided care
• not have been in employment, self-employment, voluntary work, training or education courses which add up to more than 18.5 hours a week
• during the period of care, not have been getting a weekly social welfare payment, except for Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Carer's Support Grant
• reside with the person being cared for and provide full-time care and attention (in some conditions and circumstances you may qualify if you do not reside with the person being cared for but do provide full-time care and attention)

The person being cared for must have a disability where they require:

• continual supervision to avoid danger to themselves or,
• continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with their normal bodily functions

and

• the nature and extent of their disability has been certified in the prescribed manner by a medical practitioner.

There are no direct payments for periods when you are in receipt of Long-Term Carers Contributions. Once you have reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years) of Long-Term Carers Contributions, they will be included in calculations for your State Pension (Contributory).

The quickest way to apply for Long-Term Carers Contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie. You must have a verified MyGovID account to use MyWelfare.ie.

Once you have reached a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years) these periods will be included in calculations for your State Pension (Contributory).

You can request an application form by contacting us: