MEDICAL card holders will now be able to rent out rooms in their homes under the Rent-a-Room scheme without resulting income affecting their medical card status.
Under the new measures announced by government, medical card holders will be able to earn up to €14,000 per year from renting out a room under the scheme while still qualifying for the benefit.
Limerick Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne said she has been campaigning about the issue on behalf of people coming to her who wish to rent out a room in their home but are afraid of losing their medical card.
“I have received many queries from constituents who are willing to rent rooms in their homes but were discouraged for fear the income earned would cause them to lose their medical card,” the Fine Gael senator said.
“This was a particular concern to pensioners who would benefit in many ways from the scheme. Now, they and others can be assured that the Rent-a-Room scheme is a viable option.”
The Rent-a-Room relief sceme allows tax-free earnings of up to €14,000 per year for those who privately rent out a room in their home. Previously, this income was a contributing factor, along with other income and expenses, as to whether a person qualified for a medical card.
