When you don’t need photo ID to claim your PSC

THE Department of Social Protection has confirmed you do not always need photographic identification in order to obtain a public services card.

The SAFE 2 verification process rolled out by the State in order to access the PSC usually requires a person to present a passport or driver’s licence in a face-to-face interaction with an official who will record the applicant’s public service identity dataset, which include the person’s PPS number, name and address.

However, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned that when an individual does not have a passport or driver’s licence, two supporting documents such as a utility bill, debit card, property lease or financial document can be provided instead. It is not known what steps the department uses to verify the documents. A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Protection said it may take more time to verify an individual who does not have a passport or driver’s licence.