returning to work JSB/medical card

ricicle

Hi folks,

I am returning to work next week after 8 months on job seekers benefit. My question is

1) do I automatically now lose my medical card or can you keep it for a certain amount of time until you are back on your feet financially?

2) I collect my JSB on a Wednesday. I am starting work on Monday 16th. I am still entitled to be paid for the 3 days I wasn't working (Wednesday 11th,Thursday 12th, Friday 13th) but I won't be able to pick up the payment because I will be working on the Wednesday. Do I just miss out on this or can they send it to you in a cheque or something?

Thanks in advance

Ricicle

mp22

retention of medical card and Rent Supplement

Medical card
If you are unemployed and you are returning to full-time or part-time work, you can keep your medical card for 3 years provided you have been getting one of the following allowances or benefits for 12 months or more:

• Jobseeker's Benefit
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Illness Benefit
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Blind Pension or
• Have been on an employment incentive scheme or educational opportunity scheme

If you take up full-time employment you will retain your medical card for 3 years from the date you start work. If you take up part-time employment the 3-year period starts from the date your income exceeds the relevant medical card guideline. A qualified adult who takes up employment will not retain the medical card unless they have been getting one of the above qualifying payments in their own right. There are further details about the retention of medical cards in the Health Service Executive's Medical Card/GP Visit National Assessment Guidelines (pdf).



You will get a cheque for the last few days ,sign off online and fill in the details of where you want your last payment to be sent.