Income calculation for medical card

Secret Seven

I applied for a medical card about four months ago. Last week I got a letter saying that I was not eligible for a medical card but I was for a GP card.

The letter stated I was over the financial threshold. In the guideline calculation sheet I was €30 over the weekly limit for the medical card. I get a small weekly pension of €115.96. On studying the calculations I saw they had me down as earning €78.30 per week. I do a few days work per year. Last year I worked six days and earned €513.99 for the year gross.

I rang to enquire and was told they take the gross earnings and divide by 6 for the 6 weeks worked (even though I only did 6 individual days and not 6 weeks). This figure amounts to €78.30 according to them which brings my weekly income to €194.26 and over the limit by €30.26.

Is it worth my while appealing? I'm happy with the GP card but just a bit miffed that they have calculated it this way?

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Definitely appeal. If you've any medical conditions, get a letter from GP.

oLoonatic

You should be fine once you appeal it and state all the above.

Hope it works out for you.

Secret Seven

Thanks. I don't have any medical condition. My query is that they have taken the small amount I earned for the year and divided it by 6 for the 6 payslips I received and not divided it by 52 as I thought they would.

Not sure if it's worth appealing as they'll say that that's the criteria they use and tough tit!

Secret Seven

Secret Seven wrote: »

Thanks. I don't have any medical condition. My query is that they have taken the small amount I earned for the year and divided it by 6 for the 6 payslips I received and not divided it by 52 as I thought they would.

Not sure if it's worth appealing as they'll say that that's the criteria they use and tough tit!

So, they assessed your 6 days work which gave you just over 500 Euro pa as being over €4,000 pa? For sure, you should appeal it. You may have to come up with some paperwork. Perhaps take the following into Citizens Info and go through it with them

Details of assessment criteria here: https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/medical-cards/medical-cards-national-assessment-guidelines.pdf

It does mention, page 14 or 15 that You might have income from sources that are not listed here. If you do, and if that income is less than €3,175, you need to get a P21 end-of-year statement from Revenue.

I am not very familiar with the process, someone else who posts on this site may be, but it would be a pity if you didn't appeal.

Secret Seven

Balagan1 wrote: »

So, they assessed your 6 days work which gave you just over 500 Euro pa as being over €4,000 pa? For sure, you should appeal it. You may have to come up with some paperwork. Perhaps take the following into Citizens Info and go through it with them

Details of assessment criteria here: https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/medical-cards/medical-cards-national-assessment-guidelines.pdf

It does mention, page 14 or 15 that You might have income from sources that are not listed here. If you do, and if that income is less than €3,175, you need to get a P21 end-of-year statement from Revenue.

I am not very familiar with the process, someone else who posts on this site may be, but it would be a pity if you didn't appeal.

Thanks. They have my pension payslip and the payslip from the company I do the tiny bit of work for. I can't apply for a P21 statement until March as that is when my old job issues the P60s

I have just posted my letter requesting a reassessment. Fingers crossed (though I don't hold out much hope.)

Secret Seven

Update - got a text message today to say my medical card was being issued

It really does pay to ask for a re-assessment if you're not happy with the decision. Thanks for your help!