The online application process includes a quick assessment of your finances. This will let you know if you might qualify for a medical card or GP visit 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
Examples of qualifying financial thresholds
Example 1
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
Dependents
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.
Example 2
Family GP visit card
Basic rate allowance
€441
Fixed amount applied to married couple/single parent families aged below 65 with two dependent children under 16
Dependents
€57 per child (€114)
Weekly rent payment
€276.92
Travel to work allowance
€14.40 for Mary, €28 for Patrick
Calculated based on petrol usage for Mary and weekly Leap Card fare for Patrick
Childcare Costs
€300
Qualifying Financial threshold
€1174.32
If the couple has combined weekly net earnings of more than €961.82 but less than €1174.32 the family will qualify for a GP visit 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 dependents 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.