Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) Payment Dates
Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid the third Tuesday of every month, at €380 a month.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid the third Tuesday of every month — currently €380 a month. Below is every payment date through the end of 2027, with the 0 dates that shift because of a bank holiday or weekend clearly marked. Nothing here needs a sign-up.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child under 16 who has a severe disability and needs care substantially more than another child of the same age. It is not means tested. Getting DCA also means the child automatically qualifies for a medical card, and you may qualify for Carer's Allowance and the annual Carer's Support Grant of €2,000.
Domiciliary Care Allowance payment dates 2026–2027
Dates highlighted in amber are moved earlier because the normal day is a bank holiday or a weekend. You are never paid late and you never lose a payment — the date just comes forward.
| You are paid | Note |
|---|---|
| Tue 18 Aug 2026 | |
| Tue 15 Sep 2026 | |
| Tue 20 Oct 2026 | |
| Tue 17 Nov 2026 | |
| Tue 15 Dec 2026 | |
| Tue 19 Jan 2027 | |
| Tue 16 Feb 2027 | |
| Tue 16 Mar 2027 | |
| Tue 20 Apr 2027 | |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | |
| Tue 15 Jun 2027 | |
| Tue 20 Jul 2027 | |
| Tue 17 Aug 2027 | |
| Tue 21 Sep 2027 | |
| Tue 19 Oct 2027 | |
| Tue 16 Nov 2027 | |
| Tue 21 Dec 2027 |
What happens on a bank holiday?
If your payment is due on a bank holiday, it is issued on the previous working day — normally the Friday before a Monday bank holiday. Money going to a bank account arrives early; if you collect at the post office it is available from that day. You are not paid twice and you do not lose anything.
The Christmas Bonus — an extra 100% of your weekly payment, minimum €20 — normally lands in the first week of December, automatically, if you are on a long-term payment. Rates themselves change each January after the Budget: see what is coming in Budget 2027.
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Common questions
What day is DCA paid each month?
Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid on the third Tuesday of every month. It is a monthly payment, which is why it does not follow the weekly pattern of most other schemes.
How much is Domiciliary Care Allowance in 2026?
€380 a month for each qualifying child. It is not means tested and is not affected by your income.
Does DCA include a Christmas Bonus?
Yes. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a long-term payment, so it qualifies for the Christmas Bonus, normally paid in the first week of December with your usual payment.
Other payment dates
- Child Benefit payment dates
- State Pension payment dates
- Disability Allowance payment dates
- One-Parent Family Payment payment dates
- Christmas payment dates & the Christmas Bonus
- All social welfare payment dates & the bank holiday checker
Dates are worked out from published Department of Social Protection payment rules and the official Irish public holiday list. We are independent and take no money from any bank, advertiser or government body. If your circumstances are unusual, check MyWelfare or your award letter.