Senior Citizen Entitlements

SENIOR CITIZEN

ENTITLEMENTS GRANTS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

CARERS

FAIR DEAL

MEDICAL CARDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PAYMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

COLM BROPHY TD Dรกil ร ireann, Leinster House, Kildare St, D02 A272.

Tel: 01-6183196

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Email: colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie @brophytalks ColmBrophyFineGael

02/02/2017 16:44

SENIOR CITIZEN ENTITLEMENTS MEDICAL CARD/GP VISIT CARD To qualify for a medical card you 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.

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

Medical card €201.50

GP visit card €302.00

€173.50

€260.00

€298.00

€447.00

Single person living with family Aged 66 – 69 Couples Aged 66 – 69

People over 70: weekly income limit (gross income) Medical Card weekly income limited is €500/€900 for a single person/couple. The GP Visit Card is available to everyone aged over 70 without a means test.

Prescription charges Most medical card holders pay €2.50 per prescription item with a monthly ceiling of €25.00 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 details in this leaflet are correct at the time of print

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 Email: info@seai.ie

PAYMENTS FOR CARERS FROM MARCH Payment

Maximum Personal rate (weekly) Caring for 1 person Caring for 2 or more

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 €210.00 €315.00 bases for someone who requires full time care.

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

Carer aged under 66 €209.00 €313.50 Carer aged over 66 €247.00 €370.50 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) €1,700.00 annually per person cared for Intreo Office, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 462 9400 Covers D24 Intreo Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 4763500 Covers D6, D6W & D12 Intreo Office, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 6732000 Covers D14 & D16

www.welfare.ie

Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare St, D02 A272. Tel: 01-6183196

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COLM BROPHY TD TAX BANDS Single/widowed/surviving civil partner – no dependent children

20% tax rate First €33,800.00

Single/widowed/surviving civil partner qualifying for single person child carer tax credit

First €37,800.00

Married couple/civil partners – one spouse/civil partner with income

First €42,800.00 First €42,800.00 First €24,800.00

First income Second Income

Married couple/civil partners two incomes A tax rate of 40% applies to the balance Contact: www.revenue.ie Lo-Call 1890 333 425

PAYMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE FROM MARCH Maximum Personal rate (weekly)

Payment

Claimant

Qualified Partner/Spouse Under 66 66 and over State Pension (Contributory) (PRSI based) €238.30 €160.50 €214.00 Reduced rates apply if your yearly average of PRSI contribution is less than 48 State Pension (non-Contributory) (Means tested) Centenarian Bounty

€227.00

€150.00

€2,540.00 paid by the Office of the President Electricity or gas allowance: €35.00 monthly Television Licence: free

Intreo Office, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 462 9400 Covers D24 Intreo Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 4763500 Covers D6, D6W & D12 Intreo Office, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 6732000 Covers D14 & D16

www.welfare.ie

PAYMENTS FOR WIDOW/ERS AND SURVIVING CIVIL PARTNERS FROM MARCH Payment

Maximum Personal rate (weekly)

Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (Contributory) (PRSI-based)

Under 66

66 and over

€198.50

€238.30

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

€193.00

Intreo Office, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 462 9400 Covers D24 Intreo Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2, (01) 4763500 Covers D6, D6W & D12 Intreo Office, Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, (01) 6732000 Covers D14 & D16

www.welfare.ie

The details in this leaflet are correct at the time of print .

House Benefits Package

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - DRIVING LICENCE Over 60 but under 67 Over 67 but under 70 Over 70

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

You may apply for a 3-year licence 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. Booking an appointment online is preferred.

Email: colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie

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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 at all 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) 415 4700 Dublin South City Local Health Office, City Lodge, Old Meath Hospital, Heytsbury street, Dublin 8. Tel: (01) 7077921

MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - 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 on (01) 414 9000

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FREE TRAVEL 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 www.welfare.ie

Get involved! - Getting involved in politics at a local level can be a very enjoyable experience!

The details in this leaflet are correct at the time of print.

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.

COLM BROPHY TD Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare St, D02 A272.

Tel: 01-6183196

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There are lots of different ways to participate and make a difference. I am always very grateful for any help people are willing to give. If you’d like to play a part in public affairs in our area please email: info@GetOnBoard.ie

Email: colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie @brophytalks ColmBrophyFineGael

02/02/2017 16:44