Silverwings Benefits exists to help people get the support they’re entitled to. We’re an independent paid-for service, not the Department of Social Protection or any government body. You can apply for benefits yourself free of charge, or get help from Citizens Information.
Domiciliary Care Allowance enquiry
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Everything about Domiciliary Care Allowance
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What is DCA?
What is Domiciliary Care Allowance?
Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by: Silverwings Benefits Team · Source: Citizens Information / DSP
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly, tax-free payment to help families caring for a child under 16 whose disability means they need much more care and support than other children their age. Your income and savings don’t affect eligibility, and you don’t need PRSI contributions, but your child’s ongoing care needs and your family’s living and care arrangements are assessed.
Five things worth knowing.
Your income and savings aren’t assessed
Domiciliary Care Allowance isn’t means-tested, so your family’s income and savings don’t affect whether you qualify.
You don’t need PRSI contributions
Domiciliary Care Allowance doesn’t depend on your PRSI record.
A diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility
What matters is the extra care your child needs because of their disability, rather than the diagnosis itself.
It’s for children under 16
Your child must need much more care and support than other children their age.
Your family’s arrangements are looked at
The assessment considers your child’s ongoing care needs, and your family’s living and care arrangements.
Rates
Tax-free, and your income and savings aren’t assessed.
Domiciliary Care Allowance rates
Full rate
€4,560
per year, for each child
€380 per month
For a child cared for at home five to seven days a week. Domiciliary Care Allowance is tax-free.
Half rate
€2,280
per year, for each child
€190 per month
Where a child in residential care is cared for at home two to four days a week.
You may also be entitled to
- The Carer’s Support Grant, €2,000 a year for each qualifying child
- A medical card for your child
Our fee
Pay in full, or spread it over 3 or 6 months.
20% + VAT of your first year’s award. Nothing if your claim doesn’t succeed.
- Your award, first year
- €4,560
- Our fee, 20% + VAT
- −€1,094.40
- You keep, first year
- €3,465.60
- You keep, every year after
- All of it
An example on the full rate of €380 a month for one child (€4,560 over 12 months). No upfront fee, and you can spread the cost over 3 or 6 months.
You don’t have to use us. You can apply yourself for free, or get free help from Citizens Information.
Our reviews
Real reviews, word for word.
From customers of our UK service. Taken from Trustpilot. The line in large type on each card is the reviewer’s own words too.
4.7 · See every review ↗“I heard within 6 weeks that I had been successful.”
A member of their team, Tony, called me and we completed my form. He was very patient, friendly and understanding.
Dee Brett · 8 June 2026 · Read it all ↗ “Sean helped my dad Azad with his application and was very patient and understanding.”
The process was smooth sailing, got the form filled and we are confident with what the process is now.
Verified Customer · 10 June 2026 · Read it all ↗ “…all sailed through with just over an hour phone call…”
Found silver wings by chance and thank the lucky stars we did. They explained the application in easy to comprehend terms…
Verified Customer · 11 May 2026 · Read it all ↗ “Without Tony’s reassurance and endeavour I’m not sure I would have managed the onerous task alone.”
My (many) questions were answered clearly and concisely and with unending patience.
David · 5 June 2026 · Read it all ↗
Conditions list
This is not a complete list. What matters is the extra care your child needs.
Many conditions can qualify.
It’s the extra care and support your child needs because of their disability that counts, not the diagnosis itself. Some common examples are below, or check your eligibility directly.
- Autism
- ADHD
- Intellectual or learning disability
- Epilepsy
- Sight or hearing loss
- Physical disabilities
Your options
Nobody has to pay to claim what they’re entitled to.
You can apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance yourself, or get free help from Citizens Information. Paying us is one option of three.
Free
Apply yourself
Apply online on MyWelfare with a verified MyGovID, or by post on the Dom Care 1 form. Either way, your child’s GP or specialist completes the DCAMed1 medical report, and the Department won’t start on your claim until it has both.
€0
Free
Free help
Citizens Information gives free, confidential help, including with making an application. Call 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm, or visit your local Citizens Information Centre.
€0
Only if you win
We do it with you
We’ll help you make your claim, and you’ll only pay if it succeeds. That’s €1,094.40 on the full rate of €380 a month for one child (€4,560 over 12 months). Pay in full, or spread it over 3 or 6 months.
20%+ VAT of year one
How we work with you
Applying yourself is always free, and always an option
You can apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance yourself, online on MyWelfare or by post, and Citizens Information can help for free. Our Irish service is launching soon: if you’d rather have someone experienced help you present your child’s case, register your interest and we’ll be in touch the moment it’s ready.
We’ll take the time to understand your situation
Just as we do for our UK clients today, we’ll help you set out the evidence clearly, so the Department of Social Protection has what it needs to make a fair decision the first time.
You’ll only pay if the application succeeds
There’ll be no upfront cost. If you choose to use our paid support and the application is successful, our fee will be 20% + VAT of your first year’s award, with a 3 or 6-month payment plan available if that’s easier.
Silverwings Lifetime Claim
One fee. Support for a lifetime. Our support doesn’t end when your benefit award does. If you receive a fixed-term award, we’ll help you renew or reapply for the same benefit when it’s due to end, at no additional charge.
Questions
Domiciliary Care Allowance: frequently asked questions
Is it means-tested?
No. Domiciliary Care Allowance isn’t means-tested, has no PRSI conditions and is exempt from income tax.
Can I get Child Benefit or Carer’s Allowance as well?
You can get Child Benefit with Domiciliary Care Allowance. You may also be able to get Carer’s Allowance for caring for your child, and while you get DCA you don’t need to fill in the medical part of that form.
Does my child need a particular diagnosis?
No single condition decides it. The payment is based on the impact of your child’s disability, not its type, and they must need the extra care for at least 12 months.
What if I’m refused?
You can send in more information and ask for a review, or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 60 days of the date on your decision letter. A late appeal, up to 180 days after the decision, may be accepted.
What happens when my child turns 16?
The payment stops, with the last one for the month of your child’s 16th birthday. Your child can apply for Disability Allowance, but the rules are different, so they aren’t automatically entitled to it.