Get this for a reasson why I didnt qualify for medical card

pookiesboo

Am I justified in being angry about this or is it the times we live in now.
I applied for a medical card because I am out of work after I was let go from work a few months ago as were a lot of other staff.
So a couple of weeks ago I applied for a medical card, Im entitled to it I thought. It turns out because I live with a man I am not entitled to it, because he is in their eyes, my partner, (and as he works) I dont qualify.
The thing is this guy is my best mate who also happens to be GAY. so no Im not in a relationship with him. I explained this to the woman at my local Medical card dept. who looked at me smugly with a "ya sure hes gay,how convenient" look on her face. She said because we have been renting a house together for a good few years now, he is seen as my 'partner'! Yes PARTNER!Even if he is gay or not, hes my partner because we share!
Im so angry, there are people who bleed the social system dry for what they can and through no fault of my own, i am out work and trying to save what I can to do a pitman course which is costing over €3000.
Are they right in doing this or should I fight it?

munchkin_utd

From the welfare website on cohabitation

For Social Welfare purposes, cohabitation exists where the claimant and another person are living together as husband and wife or as civil partners.

As there is no other definition in law of what constitutes cohabitation, the relationship between the couple must be shown to be the same as that of a husband and wife or civil partners. As relationships and domestic and financial arrangements between couples vary considerably each individual case must be considered on its own particular facts.

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/cohabit.aspx

Bureaucrats love their paperwork which can be a pain but also an advantage - they want to make a decision that they see as watertight so help them out by making that case, give them proof of the situation being the way you say it.

Is your mate in any gay groups, gay organisations, marches/ parades and whatnot over the past years and do you have documents to prove such things?
Can you show you take separate holidays from each other etc etc.

It still wouldn't preclude him being bisexual (or a civils rights protester) or being a savage good mate, but it could raise enough doubts that you aren't partners in a man/ wife type way to help your case.

pookiesboo

munchkin_utd wrote: »

From the welfare website on cohabitation


http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/cohabit.aspx

Bureaucrats love their paperwork which can be a pain but also an advantage - they want to make a decision that they see as watertight so help them out by making that case, give them proof of the situation being the way you say it.

Is your mate in any gay groups, gay organisations, marches/ parades and whatnot over the past years and do you have documents to prove such things?
Can you show you take separate holidays from each other etc etc.

It still wouldn't preclude him being bisexual (or a civils rights protester) or being a savage good mate, but it could raise enough doubts that you aren't partners in a man/ wife type way to help your case.

I suppose that they dont know for certain we are just mates and I could be making it up to them, I will ask him if he could provide 'evidence' to them (insert joke here) short of me taking pics of him listening to Girls Aloud...

mp22

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/ysys/Appeals/Appeals_Process/

wmpdd3

My friend had the same problem, She shared with an intensly private student doctor who she never really saw, let alone had time to ask for personal details.

She buried the office in proof she had another partner at another address. Photocopies of hotel bookings, photos etc. It worked, in the end.