Examples of calculating eligibility for GP visit card for under 70s
- Introduction
- Example 1: Single person with no children who is working and renting
- Example 2: A couple with no children
- Example 3: A couple with 2 children
- Example 4: A One parent family with 1 child
- Example 5: A couple with 3 children
- More information
Introduction
A GP visit card gives you free visits to a participating family doctor (GP). The HSE increased the weekly income basic rate for the GP visit card for under 70s on 11 September 2023 and again on 13 November 2023.
If your income is above the HSE set basic rate for your circumstances, you may still qualify for a GP visit card after you include allowable expenses, for example, mortgage payments, childcare costs and rent.
You can check what income and expenses the HSE include in the means test for GP visit cards and medical cards for under 70s.
This page shows examples of calculating income and expenses for a GP visit card for under 70s. You automatically quality for a GP visit card if you are aged over 70 or under 8 or getting Carer’s Benefit or Carer’s Allowance, at full or half-rate
Example 1: Single person with no children who is working and renting
| Income and allowable expenses (calculated weekly) | From 13 Nov 2023 |
| HSE basic rate for a single person | €418 |
| Allowable expense 1 (rent) | +€300 |
| Allowable expense 2 (travel to work cost) | +€50 |
| This person's qualifying financial threshold must be below | =€768 |
From 13 November 2023, this person could be eligible for a GP visit card if their weekly income is below €768.
Example 2: A couple with no children
A couple with no children who are both working and are renting together.
| Combined income and allowable expenses (calculated weekly) | From 13 Nov 2023 |
| HSE basic rate for a married or cohabiting couple | €607 |
| Allowable expense (rent) | +€325 |
| This couple's qualifying financial threshold must be below | =€932 |
From 13 November 2023, this household could be eligible for a GP visit card if their combined weekly income (after tax) is below €932.
Example 3: A couple with 2 children
A couple with 2 young children in childcare, where both parents are working, they have a family home with a mortgage.
| Combined income and allowable expenses (calculated weekly) | From 13 Nov 2023 |
| HSE basic rate for a married or cohabiting couple | €607 |
| HSE allowance for dependents aged under 16 (2 children aged under 16) | +€114 |
| Allowable expense 1 (mortgage) | +€300 |
| Allowable expense 2 (mortgage protection) | +€5 |
| Allowable expense 3 (house insurance) | +€8 |
| Allowable expense 4 (childcare costs) | +€368 |
| This couple's qualifying financial threshold must be below | =€1,402 |
From 13 November 2023, this household could be eligible for a family GP visit card if their combined weekly income (after tax) is below €1,402.
If the children are aged under 8 they are already eligible for a GP visit card for children under 8.
Example 4: A One parent family with 1 child
A lone parent with one young child in childcare where the parent is working and renting.
| Income and allowable expense (calculated weekly) | From 13 Nov 2023 |
| HSE basic rate for a lone parent with dependent children | €607 |
| Extra allowance for dependents (1 child under 16) | +€57 |
| Allowable expense 1 (rent) | +€300 |
| Allowable expense 2 (childcare costs) | +€184 |
| This person's qualifying financial threshold must be below | =€1,148 |
From 13 November 2023, this person could be eligible for a GP visit card if their weekly income (after tax) is below €1,148.
If the child is aged under 8 they are already eligible for a GP visit card for children under 8.
Example 5: A couple with 3 children
A couple with 3 children, one aged 10 and one aged 17 in school. The third child is aged 21 and in college. Both parents are working and they pay a mortgage on the family home.
| Combined income and allowable expense (calculated weekly) | From 13 Nov 2023 |
| HSE basic rate for a married or cohabiting couple | €607 |
| HSE allowance for dependents aged under 16 (1 child is aged under 16) | +€57 |
| HSE allowance for dependents aged over 16 (1 child is aged over 16) | +€58.50 |
| HSE allowance for dependents aged over 16 in full-time third-level education (1 child aged 21) | +€117 |
| Allowable expense 1 (mortgage) | +€250 |
| Allowable expense 2 (mortgage protection) | +€5 |
| Allowable expense 3 (house insurance) | +€8 |
| This couple's qualifying financial threshold must be below | =€1,102.50 |
From 13 November 2023, this household could be eligible for a family GP visit card if their combined weekly income (after tax) is below €1,102.50.
More information
You can read more information, including how to apply for a GP visit card or the GP visit card for children aged under 8. Check if you are eligible for a medical card.
If you are aged under 70 find out about the means test for a medical card or GP visit card for under 70s.
You can find more information on the medical card and GP visit card on the HSE website. You can find further detail in the HSE Assessment Guidelines for medical cards and GP visit cards.
The HSE has information on financial assessment.