Senior Citizen's Guide 2018

Colm

BROPHYTD Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight

SENIOR CITIZEN Information

Contents

• MEDICAL CARD/ GP VISIT CARD • GRANTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS • PAYMENTS FOR CARERS • PAYMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE • FAIR DEAL

Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

01 618 3196

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SENIOR CITIZEN Information MEDICAL CARD/GP VISIT CARD To qualify for a medical card your weekly income must be below a certain level for your family size. Cash income, savings, investments and property (except for your own home) are taken into account for the means test.

If you do not qualify for a medical card on income grounds, you may qualify for a GP visit card. The GP Visit Card is available to everyone over 70 without a means test.

People under age 70: Weekly income limit (Gross earnings less PRSI, USC and income tax) Single person living alone Aged 66 – 69 Single person living with family Aged 66 – 69 Couples Aged 66 – 69

Medical card €201.50

GP visit card €327.00

€173.50

€285.00

€298.00

€497.00

People over 70: weekly income limit (gross income) Medical Card weekly income limited is €500/€900 for a single person/couple. GP Visit available to all over 70.

Prescription charges: Most medical card holders pay €1.50 per prescription item with a monthly ceiling of €20.00 per person or family.

Forms and information are available on www.medicalcard.ie Lo-call 1890 252 919

GRANTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is used to improve the condition of an older person’s home.

It is for people aged over 66 living in poor housing conditions. This is means tested.

To apply contact South Dublin County Council 01-4149000 The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is designed for works to address mobility problems in the home, installation of grab rails, level access showers, access ramps or stair lifts. This is means tested.

To apply contact South Dublin County Council 01-4149000 The Home Insulation Scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes of people with low incomes. This is operated by the SEAI. www.seai.ie Lo-call 1850 376 666

PAYMENTS FOR CARERS (from March 2019) Maximum Personal rate (weekly) Payment Carer’s Benefit (PRSI Based) is a short term payment of up to 24 months for people who give up employment to care on a full time basis for someone who requires full time care.

Caring for 1 person

Caring for 2 or more

€220.00

€322.50

Carer’s Allowance Means Tested Is a payment for people who are caring on a full time basis for people who need full time care and attention and require it for at least 12 months.

Carer aged under 66 €219.00 Carer aged over 66 €257.00 A half carer’s allowance may be paid in addition to an existing social welfare payment Carer’s Support Grant (formerly called Respite Care Grant)

€321.00 €378.00

€1,700.00 annually per person cared for

Intero Office, The Square Tallaght, Dublin 24, (01) 462 9400 Covers D24 • Intero Office, Nutgrove Shoping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 673 2000 Covers D14 & D 16 • Intero Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 476 3500 Covers D6, D6W & D12 • www.welfare.ie

Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

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Colm BROPHY TD TAX BANDS Single/widowed/surviving civil partner – no dependent children Married couple/civil partners – one spouse/civil partner with income One income Married couple/civil partners two incomes Second Income A tax rate of 40% applies to the balance.

20% tax rate First €35,300.00 First €43,550.00 First €44,300.00 First €70,600.00

Contact: www.revenue.ie Lo-Call 1890 333 425

PAYMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE (from March 2019) Maximum Personal rate (weekly) Peronal Rate Qualified Partner/Spouse Under 66 66 and over Aged under 80 €248.30 €165.40 €220.50 Aged 80 and over €258.30 €165.40 €220.50 Living Alone Allowance €9.00 Reduced rates apply if your yearly average of PRSI contribution is less than 48.

State Pension (Contributory) (PRSI based)

State Pension (non-Contributory) (Means tested) Aged under 80 Aged 80 and over Living Alone Allowance

Maximum Personal rate (weekly) Peronal Rate €237.00 €247.00 €9.00

Centenarian Bounty

Qualified Partner/Spouse €156.60 €156.00

€2,540.00 paid by the Office of the President Electricity or gas allowance: €35.00 monthly Television Licence: FREE Fuel Allowance €22.50 for 28 Weeks

Household Benefits Package for persons living on their own

Intero Office, The Square Tallaght, Dublin 24, (01) 462 9400 Covers D24 • Intero Office, Nutgrove Shoping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 673 2000 Covers D14 & D 16 • Intero Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 476 3500 Covers D6, D6W & D12 • www.welfare.ie

PAYMENTS FOR WIDOW/ERS AND SURVIVING CIVIL PARTNERS (from March 2019) Payment

Maximum Personal rate (weekly) Aged 66 to 80 80 and over Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (Contributory) (PRSI-based) €248.30 €258.30 Reduced rates may apply, depending on your (or your late spouse’s or civil partner’s) PRSI contribution record.

Widow’s/widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (Non-Contributory) means tested

€203.00

Widowed or surviving Civil Partner Grant – Once off Payment

€6,000.00

Contact Intero Offices - details as above

MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE It is a good idea to make decisions on what you want to happen in the event of a medical emergency or incapacity. An Advance Healthcare Directive is a statement made by a person with capacity. In this you will set out your preferences about medical treatments that may arise in the future at a time when you no longer have capacity and so cannot make decisions. www.thinkahead.ie or contact your solicitor.

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FAIRDEAL The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, also known as the Fair Deal, provides financial support to people who need long term nursing home care.

There are 3 steps in the application process: 1. An Application for a Care Needs Assessment, which is carried out by a Health Care Professional Appointed by the HSE. 2. An Application for State Support. The information that you give will be used to complete the Financial Assessment.

3. An optional application for the Nursing Home Loan.

Having looked at your income and assets, the Financial Assessment will work out your contributions to care.

You will contribute: • 80% of assessable income (i.e. after deduction of tax, PRSI, mortgage/rent and out of pocket medical expenses) • Plus 7.5% per annum of the value of any assets. However the first €36,000 for an individual or €72,000 for a couple will not be counted in the financial assessment.

When your assets include land and property, the 7.5% contribution based on such assets may be deferred and paid to Revenue after your death. This is known as the Nursing Home Loan.

Your principal residence will only be included in the financial assessment for the first three years of your time in care, to a maximum of 22.5%.

After 3 years, even if you are still getting long term nursing home care, you will not pay any further contribution based on your principal residence. However all other assets will be taken into account for as long as you are in care.

Contact your local Health Centre for a Care Needs Assessment www.hse.ie Dublin South West Local Health Office, Old County Road Health Centre, Crumlin, Dublin 12. Tel (01) 4154700 Dublin South City Health Office, City Lodge, Old Meath Hospital, Heytsbury Street, Dublin 8. Tel (01) 7077921

DRIVING LICENCE Over 60 but under 67

You may apply for a licence that will expire the day before your 70th birthday.

Over 67 but under 70

You may apply for a 3-year licence

Over 70

You may apply for a 3-year licence or a 1-year licence, but you will need a certification of fitness to drive from your doctor.

Contact: National Driver Licence Service www.ndls.ie phone 0761 08 7880 or call to the local NDLS office at Unit H, Citywest Shopping Centre, Own Door Offices, Citywest, Dublin 24 Pho 076 108 7880.

VOTING If you cannot go to the polling station because you have a physical illness or a disability, you are entitled to a postal vote.

Contact: South Dublin County Council Register of Electors - 01 414 9000

The Free Travel Pass is available to people aged 66 and over. This allows you free travel on public transport and on a number of private bus and ferry services. It also allows you Free Travel to Northern Ireland.

Lo-call 1890 500 000 or Intero Office, The Square Tallaght, Dublin 24, (01) 462 9400 Covers D24; Intero Office, Nutgrove Shoping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 673 2000 Covers D14 & D 16; Intero Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 476 3500 Covers D6, D6W & D12; www.welfare.ie

0612

FREE TRAVEL

Disclaimer: Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the content of this information guide is accurate at time of going to print.

No liability is accepted for any errors or omissions or outdated information.

Colm Brophy TD is working with your local Fine Gael team Cllr Paula Donovan

Cllr Conor McMahon

Cllr Brian Lawlor

Brian Hayes MEP

Rathfarnham Ward Tel: 087 2200741

Rathfarnham Ward Tel: 087 7652302

Templeogue Terenure Ward Tel: 087 6445472

Dublin Tel: 01-2096548

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