The online application process includes a quick assessment of your finances. This will let you know if you might qualify for a medical card. It is based on basic income and expenses information.
A full assessment is carried out later in the application process. You will need to upload documents showing income and expenses. For example, payslip, proof of social welfare payment, childcare costs etc.
How much you can earn
Your qualifying financial threshold is the amount you can earn a week and still qualify for a card.
How we calculate this
Your qualifying financial threshold is calculated by adding the following 3 amounts:
- A basic rate - an amount of money depending on your circumstances.
- The amount allocated for each dependant.
- The amount for allowable expenses.
The 3 amounts are added together to give you a qualifying financial threshold. This figure is the maximum amount you can earn as your net weekly income in order to qualify for a medical card.
Qualifying financial threshold
Basic rate amount + amount for dependants + allowable expenses = amount you can earn a week and qualify for a card
Example of qualifying financial thresholds
John lives in rented accommodation. He pays €800 per month in rent. He drives to work 5 days per week.
Basic rate allowance
€184
Fixed amount applied to single person living alone aged below 65
Dependants
n/a
Weekly rent payment
€184.62
Travel to work allowance
€27
Calculated on distance travelled to work at 18c per kilometer.
Qualifying Financial threshold
€395.62
If John has weekly net earnings of €395.62 or below, he will qualify for a medical card.
If your income is above the threshold
You may not qualify for a card based on the means test. If so, we can consider if the medical bills for you or your dependants might cause you financial hardship.
Medical officers will assess your application to see if you should have a discretionary medical card or GP visit card.