Re: Medical Card: How do I proove level of savings?
As part of the medical card application process, you are obliged to complete a 'Certificate of Income'. This is a loose-leaf sheet that comes with the application form.
At present, Part 3 (A, B, C, D, etc) of the medical card application form relates to income. However, Part 3 does not specify whether in fact you are obliged to furnish a bank statement or an end-of-year balancing statement from your financial institution.
I contacted the HSE in connection with this matter this morning. The 'Certificate of income' your relative will be obliged to complete clearly sets out that you are obliged to supply 'verification of savings statements'.
The other items of documentary evidence of income are also set out in that Certificate of Income (i.e., accounts for those involved in farming, self-employment, etc.).
My advice is that your relative should supply all detail requested.
Remember if you are unsure of what this detail consists of, simply contact the Medical Card section of your HSE Area - you don't even have to give your name, just say you are making a general enquiry.
Failing to provide information will slow down the application (and concealing any information may result in a fine), etc.
On a final note, it's worth noting that HSE Areas are trying to increase the number of medical cards they are issuing so I don't really see how a standing order from an account would affect this. Post again if you have any other questions.
By the way, the HSE confirmed to me this morning too that they are currently in the process of re-vamping the application form (presumably to incorporate the 'Certificate of Income' section).
CMCR.