USEFUL RESOURCES
WELFARE.IE/EN/PAGES/TREATMENTBENEFIT1.ASPX This is an overview of the benefits available under the Treatment Benefit scheme — and who is eligible for them. One of the conditions which those aged between 25 and 65 must meet to qualify for the scheme is the payment of at least 260 PRSI contributions. This means that you must typically be working for at least five years to be covered. “Students and people aged under 21 may qualify if they have paid at least 39 contributions at any time,” said the DEASP spokeswoman. “A person can only qualify for Treatment Benefit if they personally have paid PRSI — or if they meet the criteria for dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.” So if you’re married and don’t have enough of your own social insurance contributions to qualify for Treatment Benefit, you may still be eligible if your spouse has enough contributions — as long as you’re financially dependent on your spouse. HSE.IE/ENG/SERVICES/LIST/1/SCHEMES/DRUGSPAYMENTSCHEME This provides information on the Drugs Payment Scheme, which restricts the amount you must pay on prescribed drugs or medicine to €144 a month — or €134 a month from January 2018. Here you will find information on whether or not you’re eligible for the scheme, how to join it, and how to apply for a refund.
REVENUE.IE/EN/PERSONAL-TAX-CREDITSRELIEFS-AND-EXEMPTIONS/HEALTH-ANDAGE/HEALTH-EXPENSES/INDEX.ASPX This includes advice from the Revenue Commissioners on the tax relief available on health expenses, including medical, dental and nursing home expenses. Tax relief on nursing home expenses is granted at your higher rate of income tax so if you are a higher rate taxpayer and paying the bills on behalf of an elderly relative, you should qualify for 40pc relief.
REVENUE.IE/EN/TAX-PROFESSIONALS/TDM/INCOME-TAX-CAPITAL-GAINS-TAXCORPORATION-TAX/PART-15/15-01-12.PDF This document is a very detailed account of the various health expenses which qualify for tax relief. It is worth checking to make sure that a health expense which you are planning to claim tax relief on is eligible for the relief.
REVENUE.IE/EN/PERSONAL-TAXCREDITS-RELIEFS-AND-EXEMPTIONS/DOCUMENTS/MED1.PDF This is the Med1 Form — the form used to claim tax relief on health expenses (if you are not claiming them online). HSE.IE/ENG/SERVICES/LIST/1/SCHEMES/MC/GPVC/UNDER6.HTML This link outlines how to apply for a GP Visit card if your child is under six — and it also has a list of the GPs who have signed up to the scheme.
WWW.REVENUE.IE/EN/VAT/REPAYMENTS-TO-UNREGISTERED-PERSONS/ DISABLED-PERSONS/HOW-TO-RECLAIM-VATON-AIDS-AND-APPLIANCES-FOR-DISABLEDPERSONS.ASPX This link provides information on the VAT refunds available on certain special aids and appliances used by those with disabilities.