Medical Card/G.P. Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines

Contents
1 PREFACE 4
2 INTRODUCTION 5
2.1 MEDICAL CARD 5
2.2 GP VISIT CARD 6
2.3 WHO IS ENTITLED TO A MEDICAL CARD? 6
2.4 WHO IS ENTITLED TO A GP VISIT CARD? 8
2.5 WHO DECIDES ON AN APPLICANT’S ELIGIBILITY? 9
3 INCOME GUIDELINES AND ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES. 9
3.1 INCOME GUIDELINES 9
3.1.1 DEPENDENTS 9
3.2 ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES 9
3.2.1 RENT / MORTGAGE REPAYMENTS 9
3.2.2 CHILDCARE COSTS 9
3.2.3 TRAVEL TO WORK COSTS 9
4 ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT 9
4.1 ASSESSABLE INCOME- GENERAL 9
4.1.1 SAVINGS/INVESTMENTS 9
4.1.2 PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FAMILY HOME) 9
4.1.3 ASSESSMENT OF CAPITAL VALUE 9
4.2 NON ASSESSABLE INCOME- GENERAL 9
4.3 EMPLOYED PERSONS 9
4.4 SELF EMPLOYED 9
4.5 SOCIAL WELFARE INCOMES 9
4.6 ASSESSMENT OF APPLICANTS - 16 TO 25 YEARS 9
4.6.1 FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT 9
4.7 INCOMES IN EXCESS OF MEDICAL CARD / GP VISIT CARD GUIDELINES 9
4.7.1 UNDUE HARDSHIP/ UNDULY BURDENSOME 9
4.7.2 ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND DISCRETION 9
4.7.3 RELEVANT FACTORS IN ASSESSING HARDSHIP 9
4.7.4 REVIEW DATES FOR DISCRETIONARY CARDS 9
5 RETENTION OF MEDICAL CARDS ON TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT OR
PARTICIPATING ON GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE SCHEMES 9
5.1 FULL OR PART TIME EMPLOYMENT 9
5.2 GOVERNMENT SCHEMES 9
6 EUROPEAN UNION (EU) PROVISIONS 9
Medical Card GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines Version 3 21 05 09.doc 2