In addition to your benefits from the ESB Pension Scheme there are a number of benefits provided by the State for which you may qualify. You are automatically entitled to a number of these benefits when you reach the age of 70. We will write to you shortly before your 70th birthday with the relevant forms to assist you in applying to the Department of Social Protection for these allowances.
Free Travel in Ireland
Household Benefits Package
Medical Cards for people over 70
Free Travel in Ireland
Everyone aged 66 and over and living permanently in Ireland is entitled to a free travel pass.Shortly before your 66th birthday you should contact the Department of Social Protection directly to apply for your Free Travel Pass. The forms can be obtained from your local post office.
Certain people below age 66 may also be entitled to a pass, for example those who are in receipt of a Disability Allowance from the Department of Social Protection. Free travel is available to pass holders on all State public transport with no restrictions on the times at which you can use your pass since September 2006.
If you are in receipt of a pass and you are married or cohabiting you are entitled to apply for a Free Travel Pass which allows your partner to accompany you free of charge when travelling. Your spouse/partner should of course apply to the Department of Social Protection for a travel pass in their own right if they are eligible to do so.
In certain circumstances, if you cannot use your pass because you are unable to travel alone you may be entitled to a Companion Free Travel Pass from the Department of Social Protection. This allows the holder to be accompanied by any person over 16 years of age free of charge.
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Household Benefits Package
The Household Benefits Package is provided by the State for eligible pensioners and includes:
Shortly before your 66th birthday we will write to you with information on applying to the Department of Social Protection for the Household Benefits Package. The Department will assess if you are eligible for the benefits. If you are not eligible you should send the notification received from the Department to us in the ESB Pensions Office and your application will be reviewed as these benefits may be paid to you by ESB.
When you reach your 70th birthday and if you live in Ireland you are entitled to the Household Benefit Package from the State without any form of a means test. We will write to you shortly before your 70th birthday with the relevant forms to assist you in applying to the Department of Social Protection for
these allowances.
The following is a brief summary of the allowances available. Full details and application forms are available from your local post office or by contacting the Department of Social Protection.
- Electricity Allowance
This covers basic standing charge and up to 2,400 units of electricity per annum.
- Natural Gas Allowance
If you are on the Standard Rate Tariff, the Natural Gas Allowance covers the supply charge and up to 500 kilowatt hours (kWH) (winter) and 58kWH (summer). If you are on a different tariff you will receive an equivalent allowance.
- Telephone Allowance
The telephone allowance is paid towards your telephone bill and is €25.90 including VAT per month. If you have a hearing or vision impairment, the allowance may also cover the cost of renting a special telephone. The allowance does not cover installation charges for your telephone or charges for mobile phones.
- Free Television Licence
The Department of Social Protection will issue you with a “lifetime free television licence” for as long as you remain entitled to the Household Benefits Package.
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Medical Cards
A medical card issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) allows the holder to receive certain health services free of charge.
To qualify for a medical card your weekly income must be below a certain figure for your family size. Cash income, savings, investments and property (except for your own home) are taken into account in the means test - see general income guidelines below.
Normally, your dependent spouse or partner and your children are also covered for the same range of health services. Medical cards are small plastic cards (similar in size to a credit card). Your medical card will show your doctor's name. It is usually issued for a year, after which it is reviewed.
Medical card holders pay the Universal Social Charge on their income (except for social welfare and HSE payments), but at a maximum rate of 4%. The only exemption is for people earning less than €4,004 per annum.
Additional information is available on HSE website www.hse.ie and the Citizens Information website www.medical_card
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