Benefits for Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers are entitled to most medical care free – including some immunisations (vaccines)
Your local Community Welfare Officer (CWO) can help you find a general practitioner (GP) and will provide you with a medical card application form.
If you live at the Knocklisheen accommodation centre you will get information about your medical card from the Community Welfare Officer who visits the centre twice a week. The medical card gives you and your family access to medical services free of charge. If you do not have a medical card, you will be asked to pay for certain medical services.
If you are pregnant or have small children, the CWO will help you to contact the local public health nurse. The nurse will visit you to see if you need any help and will put you in contact with your nearest health centre.
Medical screening
Free medical screening is available to all asylum seekers. It includes screening for certain infectious diseases such as TB, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV; and checking the vaccination needs of you and your family. The outcome of any of your medical tests will not affect your asylum application. Any necessary follow-up medical treatment will be provided for you and your family free of charge under the medical card scheme.
Asylum seekers are entitled to most medical care free – including some immunisations (vaccines)
Your local Community Welfare Officer (CWO) can help you find a general practitioner (GP) and will provide you with a medical card application form.
If you live at the Knocklisheen accommodation centre you will get information about your medical card from the Community Welfare Officer who visits the centre twice a week. The medical card gives you and your family access to medical services free of charge. If you do not have a medical card, you will be asked to pay for certain medical services.
If you are pregnant or have small children, the CWO will help you to contact the local public health nurse. The nurse will visit you to see if you need any help and will put you in contact with your nearest health centre.
Medical screening
Free medical screening is available to all asylum seekers. It includes screening for certain infectious diseases such as TB, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV; and checking the vaccination needs of you and your family. The outcome of any of your medical tests will not affect your asylum application. Any necessary follow-up medical treatment will be provided for you and your family free of charge under the medical card scheme.