Conditions for keeping medical card when going back to work

augusta24

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can give me some info about this.... I read that if you have a medical card and go back to work you can keep it for three years, however this was based on the fact that you would have previously been on a social welfare payment e.g. JSA etc.

However, I am currently a student,and have been for two years now but will be starting a full time job in a few weeks. My medical card expires in a few weeks too and I'm wondering will I be entitled to renew it and keep it for 3 years? Or does this not apply to me since I haven't actually been receiving JSA since I've been in college for two years.

Many thanks :-)

average_runner

augusta24 wrote: »

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can give me some info about this.... I read that if you have a medical card and go back to work you can keep it for three years, however this was based on the fact that you would have previously been on a social welfare payment e.g. JSA etc.

However, I am currently a student,and have been for two years now but will be starting a full time job in a few weeks. My medical card expires in a few weeks too and I'm wondering will I be entitled to renew it and keep it for 3 years? Or does this not apply to me since I haven't actually been receiving JSA since I've been in college for two years.

Many thanks :-)

Depends on the salary, does the company pay for health insurance?

thickhead

augusta24 wrote:

I wonder if anyone can give me some info about this.... I read that if you have a medical card and go back to work you can keep it for three years, however this was based on the fact that you would have previously been on a social welfare payment e.g. JSA etc.

augusta24 wrote:

However, I am currently a student,and have been for two years now but will be starting a full time job in a few weeks. My medical card expires in a few weeks too and I'm wondering will I be entitled to renew it and keep it for 3 years? Or does this not apply to me since I haven't actually been receiving JSA since I've been in college for two years.

You have a job you don't need state assistance. Simple.

Kristopherus

augusta24 wrote: »

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone can give me some info about this.... I read that if you have a medical card and go back to work you can keep it for three years, however this was based on the fact that you would have previously been on a social welfare payment e.g. JSA etc.

However, I am currently a student,and have been for two years now but will be starting a full time job in a few weeks. My medical card expires in a few weeks too and I'm wondering will I be entitled to renew it and keep it for 3 years? Or does this not apply to me since I haven't actually been receiving JSA since I've been in college for two years.

Many thanks :-)

No. you are not entitled to the card automatically. But you should have received a Review Form in the past few weeks. You may still qualify on income grounds, especially if you are renting/ not living at home/ have to travel to work in a car.

Here is some useful reading for you: http://www.hse.ie/portal/eng/services/list/1/schemes/mc/about/howtoapply/

augusta24

Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

average_runner wrote: »

Depends on the salary, does the company pay for health insurance?

No health insurance covered. What do you mean it depends on the salary- do you know the cut off?

thickhead wrote: »

You have a job you don't need state assistance. Simple.

Quite a judgemental post. When you have been receiving JSA and have a medical card but go back to work you can keep your medical card for three years. That's the system in place - not my fault. I'm wondering why I'm any different just because I have been a student and not receiving any JSA?!

Kristopherus wrote: »

No. you are not entitled to the card automatically. But you should have received a Review Form in the past few weeks. You may still qualify on income grounds, especially if you are renting/ not living at home/ have to travel to work in a car.

Here is some useful reading for you: http://www.hse.ie/portal/eng/services/list/1/schemes/mc/about/howtoapply/

Thanks for that info. I won't qualify on income grounds. But I guess I'm just wondering where do they state what happens with a student who was previously entitled to a medical award in college but then starts employment. They allow people who are on JSA with a medical card keep the card for three years while they work.... I'm wondering why not a student the same allowance and where do they explain this?

Thanks

hdowney

It's unlikely they explain it anywhere. They most likely don't see the need. They explain what you ARE entitled to and why/how, not what you ARE not. The simple answer is if you don't fit the criteria laid out you are not entitled. You could always phone/e-mail and enquire why students can't avail of the same support as jobseekers returning to the workforce

Cushie Butterfield

Entitlement to a medical card is governed by legislation. There is no legislation that grants someone in your circumstances the right to retain their medical card. You should approach your local TD with a request for legislation to be introduced to cover someone in your situation, but of course in the unlikely event that they were successful you would be well established in the workforce by the time it was passed, but if you feel that strongly about it there's nothing stopping you approaching your TD or any political party.

You will be classed as an employed person. You say you won't be eligible on income grounds. Barring undue hardship/exceptional medical needs there is no retention entitlement in place for students entering the workforce, therefore you won't satisfy the eligibility conditions. The retention entitlement is for certain long-term social welfare recipients.

You'll find that you won't be entitled to claim unemployment benefit either for a certain amount of time should the need arise, until such a time that you satisfy those eligibilty conditions.

Now that you'll be in the workforce & no longer depending on state help should apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme Card: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/entitlement_to_health_services/drugs_payment_scheme.html