Since the start of June 2017 all children aged 16 or under getting Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) are now eligible for a medical card – regardless of the income of their parents.
If the child does not already have a medical card or GP visit card, parents/carers can now register them online or download a registration form HERE. You will need to provide the child’s PPS number and your own. If you don’t know your child’s PPS number you can contact the Client Identity Services, Department of Social Protection, at 1890 927 999 or email cis@welfare.ie.
The HSE have said that if a child already has a medical card or GP visit card, they will be automatically registered for a medical – and registration is not required.
It is estimated that there ae 33,000 children getting DCA – but about 9,800 of them don’t currently have a Medical card.
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.