Public Services Card - SAFE Registration Appointment

Terpsichorean Master

I recently received a letter regarding an appointment for a new Public Services Card and containing quite a detailed set of instructions with regard to what I need to bring and what will be done at the 'meeting' - which 'should take 45 minutes'.

This all seems more than a little excessive to me and, frankly, related to information that they should already have - e.g. long-form birth cert., passport/driver's licence, recording of signature etc. - several times over!

This excess of required information and documentation makes me somewhat suspicious; so does anyone here have any first-hand experience of this process?

And what exactly is the need for this card specifically, when I already have a perfectly useful card that fulfils this function?

Also, is it compulsory to receive this card, once contacted?


Any and all information and feedback will be very gratefully received, thanks in advance!

BowWow

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Public-Services-Card_holder.aspx

Terpsichorean Master

Thanks for the response BowWow; although it was more people's own experiences of this process and the first-hand knowledge that they gained from them in relation to my queries that I'm looking for, rather than the official DSP line, as it were.

I've already checked that site and so am seeking alternative information here, if available.

Thanks again!

Gatling

What alternative information op .
Eventually all public services card will be replaced with the new card which will have your photograph and other information stored on it ,

They just need to 100% to confirm who you say you are

clunge

Worked at issuing PSC cards last year. Should take 10mins tops, just a quick scan of documents, pic and signature, 2 security questions and you are done

aunt aggie

It took me ten minutes and I turned without an appointment after losing my old card.

The new card is useful because it prevents and catches out people defrauding the system.

Whiplashy

I had my appointment a few weeks ago. I was actually in with them for less than 10 mins. Unfortunately they gave 6 of us the same appointment time and they only had 1 staff member to see all of us! I was there for nearly an hour.

danjo-xx

Only takes a few minutes unless their computer crashes, or if you can't provide either a driving license or passport, in that case you have to attend twice but still only takes a few minutes if you have the documents requested.

Glenbhoy

My wife received one of these today, we're a bit baffled by this although since we are in receipt of child benefit presumably that's why she's been called.
What exactly is the point of this card?

There's also a bit of conflict between the letter and website, the letter states that irish born citizens should bring their birth certificate (and explains that it will cost €1 on presentation of the letter) and passport, the website states that they should bring their passport and full birth certificate if they have already obtained it.
So, does anyone know, is the full birth cert required and if so, why the conflict and more pertinently, why is it needed at all? Has it not already been required in order to obtain the passport?

Anyway, she's going to talk to them tomorrow, although if anyone has anything to add in advance, that would be appreciated.

Glenbhoy

aunt aggie wrote: »

It took me ten minutes and I turned without an appointment after losing my old card.

The new card is useful because it prevents and catches out people defrauding the system.

I don't know what is required in order to claim benefits, but I can't see how this would increase society's protection from fraudulent claims in a meaningful way.

Whiplashy

Glenbhoy wrote: »

My wife received one of these today, we're a bit baffled by this although since we are in receipt of child benefit presumably that's why she's been called.
What exactly is the point of this card?

There's also a bit of conflict between the letter and website, the letter states that irish born citizens should bring their birth certificate (and explains that it will cost €1 on presentation of the letter) and passport, the website states that they should bring their passport and full birth certificate if they have already obtained it.
So, does anyone know, is the full birth cert required and if so, why the conflict and more pertinently, why is it needed at all? Has it not already been required in order to obtain the passport?

Anyway, she's going to talk to them tomorrow, although if anyone has anything to add in advance, that would be appreciated.

Everyone is being called in. They're replacing the old social security cards. If you have a PPS number you will be called in.

I was confused about the birth cert too. I didn't have a long one, and I didn't have time to go get one, so I just brought in the standard one and that was fine.

Glenbhoy

Whiplashy wrote: »

Everyone is being called in. They're replacing the old social security cards. If you have a PPS number you will be called in.

I was confused about the birth cert too. I didn't have a long one, and I didn't have time to go get one, so I just brought in the standard one and that was fine.

I don't know what a social security card is or how it was obtained in the first place.
So essentially everyone with a pps number is being called in and being given one of these cards. I'm trying to figure out the logic here, is the issue that people could potentially have multiple pps numbers and be making multiple claims? So they target popular names in the initial runs in order to wean out the most non valid pps numbers?
The birth cert thing doesn't make sense, surely it's a case of bringing it if you aren't bringing a passport as to have your passport, you will already have presented a birth cert?

Cushie Butterfield

Glenbhoy wrote:

I don't know what a social security card is or how it was obtained in the first place.

Social Security Cards are only issued in the USA. Our equivalent was a Social Services Card which is now being replaced by a Public Services Card. See link in post #2

Glenbhoy wrote:

So essentially everyone with a pps number is being called in and being given one of these cards. I'm trying to figure out the logic here, is the issue that people could potentially have multiple pps numbers and be making multiple claims? So they target popular names in the initial runs in order to wean out the most non valid pps numbers?

No-one is being targeted as such - the cards are just being issued on a phased basis using different methods e.g by payment types, new applicants for welfare payments etc. Some older people were able to register by post by giving DSP permission to use passport details & photo for their card.

Glenbhoy wrote:

The birth cert thing doesn't make sense, surely it's a case of bringing it if you aren't bringing a passport as to have your passport, you will already have presented a birth cert?

It's pointless getting bogged down by details like that (on this forum anyway) - the main thing to know is that to be issued with a public services card you have to satisfy the DSP that you are who you say you are & that you live where you say you live, & that they will only accept certain documents to prove that. When the time comes for you to register you'll receive a letter telling you exactly what to do & what you need.

Whiplashy

Glenbhoy wrote: »

I don't know what a social security card is or how it was obtained in the first place.
So essentially everyone with a pps number is being called in and being given one of these cards. I'm trying to figure out the logic here, is the issue that people could potentially have multiple pps numbers and be making multiple claims? So they target popular names in the initial runs in order to wean out the most non valid pps numbers?
The birth cert thing doesn't make sense, surely it's a case of bringing it if you aren't bringing a passport as to have your passport, you will already have presented a birth cert?

I think the logic is that with these new cards it will be harder to commit social welfare fraud. The old social security cards came out in the post. I got mine when I was a teenager and I definitely didn't apply for it. These new cards are being obtained with a lot of documentation to support who you are, and they have your photo on the card, so no one else will be able to use it.

They are looking for extra documentation to make sure the system is secure. Providing both the passport and the birth cert reduces the risk of fake documents being used. You do have to bring both.

I don't know what kind of a system they're using to call people in. My father got his appointment over a year before me, and my mother still hasn't got one so they're definitely not going in alphabetical order anyway. Everyone will be called in though so it doesn't really matter.

lazeedaisy

I was called last summer to the Wexford office. It's a good hour each way for me, yet my local office in my own county is closer. I kicked up a fuss, no one is prepared to pay for my petrol, they won't let me go to Kilkenny, I live week to week, can't be arsed taking 2 hours travelling time, to sit for an hour!

looksee

I got one about 2 years ago, as did some of my neighbours. What is interesting is that the three of us that were called are all non-nationals married to Irish husbands. So far none of the husbands have been called. When I asked why I had to get a card I was told it was because I had some kind of social benefit, in my case I had the free travel card. Husband has had the free travel card for years but has not been called.

Call me Al

What happens in the case of someone working here, paying paye prsi etc and his wife and kids living abroad. If it's going by the woman claiming children's allowance how does she go to her local office?
I've not been called yet, but my sister in law was. She said she felt like the lady behind the counter was trying to catch her out for something regarding the use of her maiden name while being married.

Glenbhoy

Cushie Butterfield wrote: »

It's pointless getting bogged down by details like that (on this forum anyway) - the main thing to know is that to be issued with a public services card you have to satisfy the DSP that you are who you say you are & that you live where you say you live, & that they will only accept certain documents to prove that. When the time comes for you to register you'll receive a letter telling you exactly what to do & what you need.

What I don't understand is why that when I am called in, I will only have to bring a passport (Dual UK and Irish nationality), whereas my wife who has been called in has to provide passport and full birth cert (which she doesn't have), the other issue being that on their website, it mentions that she only has to bring the full birth cert if she has it, it's the ambiguity that I don't understand. Why not just follow money laundering legislation and have a hard and fast set of rules which apply to all.

Cushie Butterfield

Glenbhoy wrote: »

What I don't understand is why that when I am called in, I will only have to bring a passport (Dual UK and Irish nationality), whereas my wife who has been called in has to provide passport and full birth cert (which she doesn't have), the other issue being that on their website, it mentions that she only has to bring the full birth cert if she has it, it's the ambiguity that I don't understand. Why not just follow money laundering legislation and have a hard and fast set of rules which apply to all.

Try ringing them at 071 967 2692

Firefox11

Whiplashy wrote: »

I had my appointment a few weeks ago. I was actually in with them for less than 10 mins. Unfortunately they gave 6 of us the same appointment time and they only had 1 staff member to see all of us! I was there for nearly an hour.

Do you have to have the Birth Cert with you if you already have your passport? In the letter it says 'if you already have it' so I assume it's not absolutely necessary as long you have your passport with you for identification?

Can't find the birth cert at the moment.

danjo-xx

Firefox11 wrote: »

Do you have to have the Birth Cert with you if you already have your passport? In the letter it says 'if you already have it' so I assume it's not absolutely necessary as long you have your passport with you for identification?

Can't find the birth cert at the moment.

and their website says

If you are irish citizen born in Ireland, a Current Irish passport or current Irish or UK driving licence or Irish learner driver permit. If you already have your full birth certificate (showing your mother's birth surname) or adoption certificate, please bring it with you

So I reckon by that your passport should be fine, but if you had BC to hand that would be bonus if you like.