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FAQ

Returning from outside of the UK

Health Care in Ireland

If you are over 70 years you will be eligible for a medical card and free medical care but if you are under 70 years access to health care will be subject to your income. If your income falls below the minimum set you will be eligible for a medical card otherwise you can either purchase medical insurance or, like a large number of people within Ireland have no medical cover. Prior to moving to Ireland you should discuss with your current insurance provider the possibility of having some ‘breathing space’ cover while you sort out an alternative. Our information is that no foreign health Insurance transfers.

How does the Irish Health Care system work?

Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on residency and means rather than income or employment status, and so, (government argue) the need to
transfer membership from one country's public health insurance system to another
need not arise. Any person, regardless of nationality, accepted by the Health Service Executive as being ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to either full eligibility (Category 1, i.e. medical card holders) or limited eligibility (Category 2) for health services. In other words, if you come to live in Ireland permanently you are entitled to use the public health system. The Health Service Executive (HSE) normally regard a person as "ordinarily resident" in Ireland if they are satisfiedthat it is their intention to remain in Ireland for a minimum period of one year.

What is the difference between Category One and Category Two eligibility?

Persons in Category 1 are medical card holders and they are entitled to a full range
of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs  and  medicines,  all  in-patient  public hospital services in public wards  including  consultants  services,  all  out-patient  public hospital services  including  consultants  services,  dental, ophthalmic  and aural services and appliances and a maternity and infant care service.

Persons in Category 2 (non-medical card holders) are entitled, subject to certain
charges, to all in-patient public hospital services in public wards including  consultants  services  and  out-patient public hospital services including  consultants  services.  There will be a public hospital statutory in-patient charge per night, with a maximum amount that people will be charged. Attendance at  accident and emergency departments is subject  to a charge where the patient does not have a referral note
from  his/her  doctor (whether or not they have a medical card). This charge applies only to the first visit in any episode of care. Costs referred to are subject to budgetary changes so you would need to check these figures with your local H.S.E on arrival. 

What happens if I am not judged eligible for a medical card?

For those who do not qualify for a full medical card, you may still qualify for a G.P only medical card (covering the cost of G.P visits only) as the allowable income level is set at a higher rate.

There are a number of other schemes which provide assistance towards the cost of medication.  Under  the  Long-Term Illness Scheme, persons suffering from a number  of conditions can obtain, without charge, the drugs and medicines for the  treatment of the following conditions, mental handicap, mental illness(for  persons under 16 years only), phenylketonuria, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida,  hydrocephalus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, haemophilia, cerebral   palsy,   epilepsy,  multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies,parkinsonism and acute leukaemia. 
Approved, prescribed drugs and medicines for the treatment of Hypercholestrolaemia and Hypertension which are directly associated with both forms of Diabetes are also available under the scheme.

I have an ongoing medical condition not listed. Is there any help available to me?
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, a person and his/her dependants, who are not
entitled  to either a medical card or a long term illness care, do not have to pay
more than a specified sum in any calendar month for approved prescribed drugs,
medicines and appliances. Because the amount involved is subject to budgetary changes you should contact the local H.S.E office for an up to date figure.

If you are receiving ongoing medical treatment it would be worth your while writing to the area Health Service Executive in the part of the country you intend to settle in, outlining your condition and asking them to write to you with information of what services are available in the area.
 
Private Health Care / Insurance:

Individuals are free to choose to take out medical insurance if they wish to avail of private treatment for themselves. The companies operating in Ireland are VHI (Voluntary health Insurance) VIVAS Health & BUPA.

Private Health Insurance in Ireland operates on a ‘community rated’ basis which means that insurers must charge the same premium for a particular level of cover regardless of age, gender or health status. They cannot base their insurance policies on risk. Irish health insurance legislation also provides for ‘open enrolment’ which means that insurance companies must make insurance cover available to people aged under 65 years of age regardless of whether or not they were insured before. The law in Ireland also provides for ‘life cover’ which means that once you are registered for health insurance cover you cannot be told by the company that they are no longer willing to insure you, except in very exceptional circumstances. The taking out of private health insurance in  Ireland  is  essentially  a  voluntary  decision  on  the  part  of the individual.

Transferring Pensions & Benefits

State pensions, job related pensions and private pensions will transfer with you. It is very unlikely than any social welfare payments will so check this with the agency paying you. When you return to settle permanently in Ireland you will be liable for tax here.

Tax matters: Foreign Pensions: For those coming from the USA

Question: I am resident in Ireland and in receipt of a pension from the USA. Is this taxable in Ireland or in the USA?

Answer: All USA pensions received by an Irish resident whether occupational or social welfare, are only taxable in Ireland.

Explanation: If you are a US citizen (have taken out US nationality) and are not an Irish citizen (gave this up when becoming a US citizen) your pensions are taxable in the USA. If you are an Irish citizen then the pension is only taxable in Ireland.

If you hold dual US / Irish nationality your pension is taxable in Ireland but you should contact the US Tax Authority to confirm this because there may be some exceptions to the rule. See 'Deductions from overseas pensions at source' below

You must notify the local Tax office (where you move to in Ireland) that you are now living here permanently and they will assess you for income for tax. Please check the question of dual nationality with them if this is your situation. If you are paying tax on your pension (where you are living) at the moment you may have to pay tax here.

The situation for Irish Citizens moving home from other (non UK) countries:

European Countries: An EU pension or other income received by an Irish resident will be taxable in Ireland depending on whether or not Ireland has a Tax Treaty with the country involved. In all cases you will need to clarify your situation with the local Tax office where you move to in Ireland.

Zimbabwe: A Zimbabwean pension or other Zimbabwean income received by an Irish resident will be taxable in Ireland. Because Ireland does not have a Tax Treaty with Zimbabwe the individual will be taxed, by Ireland, on the amount received after the Zimbabwean tax has been deducted. No credit will be given against the Irish tax liabilities for tax deducted in Zimbabwe. So, if you are returning from Zimbabwe you may find yourself paying tax in both countries.

South Africa: Ireland does have a tax treaty with South Africa so the Irish Revenue will give credit for any tax deducted in South Africa against any Irish tax liability.

Australia and Canada: Pensions paid to an Irish resident are taxable in Ireland only and not in Australia (with one exception - see deductions from pensions at source below) or Canada. That means that Australian or Canadian tax should not be deducted but the income should be declared in Ireland. Social Security pensions to returning emigrants from Australia are distributed from England on a monthly basis.

You must notify the tax authorities in Australia or Canada (whichever country you are coming from) that you are moving, permanently, to Ireland and will be assessed for tax by the Irish Revenue.

Deductions from pensions at source: Until you get your situation sorted out with the Revenue here, Social security pensions from the USA will suffer a 15% withholding tax from the IRS when you move but this can be offset against any Irish tax you may be liable for. Anecdotal information is that this is also the case with pensions being transferred from Canada and Australia. If someone is entitled to a pension from Veterans Affairs in Australia, it must be paid into an Australian bank first and then transferred to you in Ireland.

For everyone regardless of where they are coming from:

In all cases you must notify the local Irish Tax office of your permanent residency here. Not to do so is breaking the law. You should also notify the Tax Authority in the country you are leaving.

A word of advice:

Tax matters are very personal so can be different depending on someone's individual circumstances. The information in this leaflet is intended as a general guide for older people returning to Ireland, in receipt of pensions from abroad. We advise everyone to contact the Tax Authorities in the country they are leaving and local Tax office on arrival in Ireland to clarify his or her individual situation.

Q. Is it necessary to transfer my income from abroad?

A. Many returning emigrants ask do they have to transfer their pensions to Irish banks when they come to live in Ireland? If someone is moving to Ireland without a full pension they may require the Irish Government to give them a 'top up' payment to bring their income up to the basic Non-Contributory Pension payment here. If you are eligible to apply for Rent Allowance, Living Alone Allowance, the Household Benefit Package (Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance, Telephone line / Equipment Rental and something towards Call Charges and a Free Television Licence) and, if you apply for a Medical Card you will be required to show your income.

So! It might be easier if you have transferred your pension/s to an account here in Ireland where the money will be shown in Euro (€) and be simpler for officials to calculate your financial position and decide what, if anything, you are eligible for. You can keep your bank account abroad and continue to have your pension/s paid into it if you want to, but it may cause you difficulty when dealing with Irish officials.

 

 

Entitlements in Ireland

Q. I am an older person and am on a low income. Are there any additional benefits I might qualify for on my return to Ireland?
Or,
I am a disabled person wanting to return home but will have only a low income. Is there any help?


A. Yes, in both cases, you may be entitled to help through the Household Benefits Package. It is a means tested package based on your income consisting of.

  • Allowance 1 – Electricity Allowance or Natural Gas Allowance or Electricity (Group Account) Allowance or Bottled Gas Refill Allowance.
  • Allowance 2 – Telephone Allowance – which covers mainly line/equipment rental
  • Allowance 3 - Free Television licence

You will qualify if: You are 70 years or older Or Are in receipt of a Carer’s Allowance
Receive a qualifying payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Ireland (or an equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from an EU country) And
Live alone or only with certain excepted persons (Your spouse or partner) if you are receiving an allowance for him or her
A person who would qualify for the allowance in his/her own right e.g. a person getting a State Pension
A person who is providing you, or someone in your household, with constant care and attention, if you or that person is so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months - (medical certification may be retired.)
Or
You are aged between 66 and 69, satisfy a means test and permanently living (all year round) at the address from which you apply. You must also be a registered consumer of electricity/ Natural Gas and the registered telephone account holder if you are applying for a Telephone Allowance.

Free Travel
Anyone getting a Free Travel Pass must live in the State on an all round year basis.
The scheme gives Free Travel to all people over 66 years of age or someone receiving a qualifying payment from the Department of Social & Family Affairs in Ireland (or equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from an EU country)

Living Alone Allowance
You need to be aged 66+, living alone and in receipt of a pension or qualifying payment from Department of Social & Family Affairs in Ireland. People on pensions from another EU country will not qualify unless they also in receipt of an Irish social welfare pension.

National Fuel Scheme
This is a means tested weekly payment operating for 29 weeks of the year from October to late April.
You may qualify if you are dependent on long-term social welfare or HSE (Health Service Executive).

Q. Can I be sure I will be eligible to apply for these benefits?

A. You will have to satisfy requirements on Habitual Residence.

Habitual Residence - What is it and how it might affect you?

The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for a range of Social Assistance and Child Benefit schemes operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs with effect from the 1st of May 2004 .
What it means is that all applicants for Social Assistance payments and Child Benefit (regardless of nationality) are required to show that they are habitually resident in the State in order to qualify for these payments.

What does habitual residence mean?

Habitual residence means that you have a proven close link to Ireland or other parts of the Common Travel Area. For example if you have lived in Ireland or other parts of the Common Travel Area all of your life, you will likely satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition. The Common Travel area is Ireland, Great Britain (including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.  

A person claiming a Social Assistance payment or Child Benefit needs to show a close association with the country they are claiming payments in.
They will also consider the relationship you have with the country to see does it show habitual residence.

They will assume applicants not to be habitually resident until the applicant can prove them wrong.
It will be presumed that you are not habitually resident in the State unless you can show that you have lived either in Ireland or other parts of  the  Common Travel Area  for a continuous two-year period up to your applying for a social assistance payment or Child Benefit in Ireland.

You would be advised, when leaving a non Common Travel Area country, to come to Ireland to have as much documentation as possible that shows you are severing your links with that country - evidence of transferring the foreign pension to Ireland, details showing the sale of your property or giving up your tenancy etc. We will furnish details of your offer of tenancy here if you are coming home through Safe-Home. All of this documentation will be useful to show habitual residency in Ireland in the event of you needing to apply for a range of benefits from the Irish State.

Q. What payments are subject to the Habitual Residency Condition

A.  All Irish non-contributory social welfare payments

The cost of moving

Moving home is always expensive even if you are only going ‘down the road’. Where you are travelling to a different country the problems and the costs quickly mount up. If you do not have family or friends who will help you to move, you will be relying on removal firms. Shipping furniture is very expensive and it might be worth your while at the ‘thinking stage’ to make some enquiries from specialist firms who do this kind of work.

Moving home to Ireland from the USA:

The advice is to ‘travel light’ because shipping your belongings home from the USA can be very expensive. But! if you just cannot say goodbye to your possessions it is important that you find a moving company that is legitimate and is in compliance with the law. An international moving company must have a “tariff/on file” at the Federal Maritime Commission in Washington D.C., otherwise no matter what they say to the contrary any insurance taken out on a shipment is null and void and un-collectable should anything go wrong. Our advice is to shop around but remember to check that your removal firm is legitimate.

One of the first things you should do when you arrive in Ireland is register for your PPS Number (this is the equivalent of your National Insurance/Social Security Number).
(Please Note: Some people may already have this number particularly if you are they are in receipt of a part Irish pension or if they worked in Ireland after 1979. Your PPS is made up of 7 numbers and ends in a letter - example: 4567891W)

To apply for a PPS Number:

Go to the local social welfare office in the area you have returned to and they will give you the necessary form to complete. You will need to take the following documentation with you:

  • Long form birthcert
  • Photo I.D.
  • Proof of residency in Ireland

It usually takes about 7 days to process the application for a PPS number or sometimes you can apply for it quicker via the Community Welfare Officer.

Community Welfare Officer

Another important visit to put high on your list is a visit to the Community Welfare Officer. Each small town or village has an officer who calls to some location (like a community centre) at least once a week. You should take all your paper work with you as he/she will assist you in relation to transfer of benefits. It is important that you bring all your information - bank statements etc as this will be required if for example you need to avail of Supplementary Welfare or assistance with your rent through Rent Allowance. Both are means tested payments and your income will need to be assessed.
Note! - It is important to note that Community Welfare Officers usually only attend their ‘clinics’ once a week. So depending on when you arrive in Ireland - you may have a wait before you get to see them and you will have another wait if you do not have all the paperwork they require.  This could put pressure on your finances.

 

 

The Safe-Home Programme Ireland
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The Safe-Home Programme Ireland
Saint Brendan's Village
Mulranny
County Mayo
Ireland

CHY 14782 (Charity Number)
Chairman Dr Jerry Cowley TD

Tel: + 353 (0) 98 36036
Fax: + 353 (0) 98 36037

Email: safehomeireland@eircom.net

 

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