New Job - Medical Card for Three years

iPhone.

Have a relation on jobseekers allowance over two years who will be returning to work shortly.

He has a medical card which expires some time next year, not sure when but he has heard he can retain his medical card for three years after he starts work but he can't find any information anywhere on how to apply to retain it or when he should apply.

Anyone information from someone who has been in a similar situation or who knows how it works would be appreciated.

danjo-xx

Budget 2014: It was announced that unemployed people will retain a GP Visit Card (currently a medical card) for 3 years when they take up work. This measure requires legislation and will be introduced in 2014.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/how_parents_income_can_affect_jobseekers_allowance.html

iPhone.

Thanks for that, but it still gives no details about how it operates? Do you apply to have it extended, is it automatic, how do you notify them etc?

danjo-xx

I remember it being automatic, just let your employer/payroll know though that you have a medical card.

upinthesky

Not sure about this because when my partner got a job we went to only receiving a gp visit card, you should give the medical card section a ring.

iPhone.

lisar816 wrote: »

Not sure about this because when my partner got a job we went to only receiving a gp visit card, you should give the medical card section a ring.

Thanks. I did ring them for him alright and they said when the card is due to expire he will receive a review letter and at that stage if he puts a note in with the review letter explaining he wishes to avail of the three years for returning to work applicants that they will then put it in place.

She seemed very unsure though and had to think for a minute when I asked her. Also aren't you supposed to notify any change in circumstance immediately? Not wait like she suggests until review date.

Very hard to find information on the facts of how this works.

upinthesky

iPhone. wrote: »

Thanks. I did ring them for him alright and they said when the card is due to expire he will receive a review letter and at that stage if he puts a note in with the review letter explaining he wishes to avail of the three years for returning to work applicants that they will then put it in place.

She seemed very unsure though and had to think for a minute when I asked her. Also aren't you supposed to notify any change in circumstance immediately? Not wait like she suggests until review date.

Very hard to find information on the facts of how this works.

Yes i got the renewal letter also, never thought to look into the three year thing at the time,make sure you add the letter and you should be ok.

Artificial Desemination

iPhone. wrote: »

Thanks. I did ring them for him alright and they said when the card is due to expire he will receive a review letter and at that stage if he puts a note in with the review letter explaining he wishes to avail of the three years for returning to work applicants that they will then put it in place.

She seemed very unsure though and had to think for a minute when I asked her. Also aren't you supposed to notify any change in circumstance immediately? Not wait like she suggests until review date.

Very hard to find information on the facts of how this works.

The advice you got on the phone is correct. When the renewal form does come, do not forget to inform them that you have been on social welfare for over 12 months and wish to retain the card on this basis. The onus is on an applicant to make them aware of any special entitlements they may have under rules such as this. Whatever card your relation currently holds can be retained for 3 years from the date they started their new job. In the future, it is planned that you will not be able to retain a full medical card but will receive a GP visit card.