Medical Card Eligibility Criteria: help please

GeneticDeviant

Okay well was filling out a form to apply for a medical card, and on it it asks about my partner and her earnings etc.

We are not married but simply living together.

I'm unemployed, but doing a FAS training course at the moment but my partner is a teacher.

Can someone please explain if i would be eligible for a medical card at all and can someone explain to me exactly what criteria you need to meet in order to be eligible.

Many thanks

Citizens Information: Graham

Hi GeneticDeviant


Anyone over 16 who is resident in Ireland can apply for a medical card. You also have to pass a means test, which is based on your income and that of your spouse / partner.

This is what the HSE says about the means test:

"When we make an assessment for a Medical Card, we only assess you and your spouse's or partner's income after Tax and PRSI are deducted. We also make allowances for rent and mortgage payments, for childcare expenses, and travel to work expenses. Income or possible income from property is taken into account less any necessary associated costs."

The HSE have a good, straightforward guide here: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Medical_Cards/Your_Guide_to_Medical_Cards.html#entitled

This document is for 2009 but will give you some idea of the income guidelines: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/Find_a_Service/entitlements/Medical_Cards/MCGPVCincomeguidelines.pdf

Graham Long
Citizens Information

Graceland

Can I ask if Savings come into it? I phoned a few places to ask this but no-one seemed to know the answer, which I thought was pretty strange.