Are they entitled to claim Tax credits & a Medical card?

[Caili]

Hi folks,

I'm enquiring about friends of mine, hopefully somebody can point them in the right direction. They have gone to the SWO about this but came out more confused than when they went in.

They are an unmarried couple with one child. They have a mortgage which they are paying on one wage. He was cut to a 3 day week so is earning around EU350 after tax per week. He was claiming Job Seekers Allowance but that was stopped recently and he has been told to apply for Job Seekers Benefit, which he has done and is hoping to start receiving this soon.

As he is the only one working, is he entitled to tax credits for his partner or child? If so, how does he go about claiming this?
Also, are they entitled to a Medical Card for their child?
Is there anything else they are entitled to claim?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[gipimann]

The income guidelines for Medical Card for a couple with one child is €304.50pw. The wages plus any SW would be assessed, and there are allowances for the mortgage and travel to work (if applicable).

If they don't qualify for a Medical Card, they may qualify for a GP visit card, where the guidelines are approx 25% higher.

They can apply online at www.medicalcard.ie

If he's working 30 hrs or less pw, they may have an entitlement to Mortgage Interest Supplement, which is means-tested. If they've spoken to the Community Welfare Officer, they may be aware of this already.

 

[xeresod]

As he is the only one working, is he entitled to tax credits for his partner or child? If so, how does he go about claiming this?

No. But if they got married, he could claim the married tax credit (double the single credit) and also the home carer credit.