Medical card app when both on JSB

If both spouses are on JSB does the family have to undergo a means test for a medical card or are they automatically entitled? Or is it only automatic if both are on JSA?
What happens if one person is on JSB and the other is on a training course?

If means tested -are the social welfare payments taken into account? Also - for a 16 year old, do they make a separate application?

The Medical Card Guidelines state that

Applicants whose weekly incomes are derived solely from Social Welfare allowances/ benefits or Health Service Executive allowances, which are in excess of the Income Guidelines (either at first or on renewal), should be granted a Medical Card.


Training courses (e.g FAS, VTOS, etc) would not be considered Social Welfare income.

There are some exemptions for persons on training courses.

If a person who has been granted a medical card because they are on SW takes up a Government training scheme (e.g. FAS), they retain the card for the duration of the course. If the person doesn't have a medical card, but would have qualified had they applied prior to starting the course, the card will be granted for the duration of the course.

For example, a person on JB who didn't apply for a card but who would have qualified if he/she had, would be granted a card while on the training course.

Persons aged 16 years must make a separate application - if the parents qualify for a card, then the 16 yo will get a card automatically. If the parents don't qualify for a card, then the 16 yo is means-tested to determine eligibility.