SENIOR CITIZENS' F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

Questions by the Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association
Answers by the relevant Government Department

With special thanks to the Government Press Office for their help in putting this document together.

Compiled by the Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association - January 2010.

Medical.

Q. My status in my Gibraltar Health Authority health card is "pensioner". What does this entitle me to?

A. Free emergency dental Care, free prescriptions and reduced house visit fees.

Q. If my status were "exempt" what would be my entitlements then?

A. Free dental treatment, free prescriptions and free house visit.

Q. As a senior citizen, what free dentistry services within the GPMS am I entitled to?

A. If you don't fall under Exempt Category, emergency dental care only.

Q. Are there any other dentistry services available to me if I pay for them?

A. No

Q. Am I entitled to free chiropody?

A. You are entitled to chiropody services if referred by a medical practitioner or if you are a resident in a Care Agency Facility or a hospital in-patient.

Q. If not, can I obtain these services at a discounted fee?

A. Not applicable

Q. How much should I pay the doctor for a house call?

A. The reduced fee (currently £5) and nothing if your status is Exempt

Q. Are the services of an optometrist available free within the GPMS?

A. Yes

Q. What criteria is used for sponsored spectacles?

A. This is under review

Q. Are free hearing aids provided under the GPMS?

A. Yes

Social Services.

Q. What are Day Centres and where are they situated?

A. There are 4 Day Centres for the elderly:

Social Services (Mon + Thurs)

1. Canton House, Varyl Begg (Tuesday)

Senior Citizen's Club, South Barracks, South District (Wednesday)

1, Brother O'Brien, Glacis Estate (Friday)

Activities include Bingo, Exercises, Arts & Craft.

A. All elderly are entitled to apply via Social Services, the application is followed by an Assessment. As numbers are limited, there is a waiting list.

Q. I suffer a disability that makes it impossible or very difficult for me to get in and out of a bath. How and where should I apply for the bath to be replaced by a shower or other appliance specific to my needs?

A. You should discuss a situation like this with your doctor in the first instance and he/she may ask for an occupational therapist to visit you.

Q. Are Senior Citizens who suffer temporary or permanent mobility problems entitled to domiciliary physiotherapy treatment?

A. You would need referral from G.P. to the Community Physio to assess.

Q. Should I decide to import a "walk in bath" or any other aid at my own expense, would Government waive import duty?

A. People with disabilities are not exempt from import duty when buying aids. You should write to Collector of Customs stating your condition and that you are a Pensioner.

Q. Are the above patients entitled to other domiciliary services?

A. Everyone over the age of 60 years can apply for Domiciliary Care. However, there is a waiting list and applicants will be assessed.

Q. Because of my disability I cannot get around as I would like. Where can my relatives acquire a wheelchair for me for occasional use?

A. Red Cross, ShopMobility/Mount Alvernia in an emergency.

Housing.

Q. My spouse and I are both senior citizens and wish to be re housed at Bishop Canilla House or Albert Risso House, what criteria is used for allocation?

A. In order to qualify for Bishop Canilla House or Albert Risso House you have to be on the Housing Medical List. Medical evidence from a locally Registered Practioner can be provided to the Housing Allocation Committee, they will recommend if the applicant should indeed be placed on the Housing Medical List.

Q. I reside in a Government tenancy, what repairs and refurbishments am I entitled to from the Buildings & Works Department?

A. "The tenancy agreement lists the responsibilities between Landlord and the Tenant. In this context, the tenant is responsible for repairs that lie within the property though should this result from water ingress emanating from external parts of the building, then Buildings and Works would attend to the repairs accordingly. Nevertheless, the Government has introduced further flexibility in the case of Pensioners whereby Buildings and Works will attend to internal repairs irrespective of the fact that this falls within the area of responsibility of the tenant."

Q. How do I know if I qualify for Rent Relief, what should I do and whom do I approach?

A. You would have to inquire at the Rent Office at the Ministry for Housing, City Hall, where all the relevant information will be supplied. You will be asked to fill in some forms and thereafter, a written answer will be supplied to you as soon as possible.

Q. If I am on Rent Relief and there is a change in circumstances which affects the household income, should I immediately inform the Rent Office?

A. Yes, you should inform the Rent Office immediately and supply the officer with the relevant information which has caused the change in the household income.

Q. Do I have to be a pensioner to be on Rent Relief?

A. No. Rent Relief is discretionary and based on household income. People on a low income bracket and not necessarily pensioners are most likely to qualify.

Q. What criteria is used to grant Rent Relief?

A. Rent Relief is assessed using a formula which shows the affordable rent of the tenant.

Q. Is the income of the tenant holder only taken into consideration when assessing Rent Relief?

A. No. the gross income of ALL persons authorised to reside in the property is taken into consideration.

Q. What method can be used to pay my rent?

A. Payment can be made in person at the Rent Collection Counter or cheques may be sent in by post to our offices and a receipt will be sent to your home. Rent can also be paid by Standing Order.

Q. How long do I need to keep my receipts?

A. You are advised to keep your receipts for a period of six years.

Q. What will happen if I go into arrears?

A. This will show up in our records and it is advisable that you make an early settlement with the Rent Manager on how you intend to pay arrears, otherwise the Ministry may take legal action.

Q. What are the implications to my tenancy rights should I be in arrears?

A. You will be affected in your application for a new allocation or exchange. In addition, this could also affect other services which you may wish to pursue, for example parking permits.

Q. If I have rent arrears, can I pay in instalments?

A. Yes, an agreement can be made to pay the arrears within a six year period. This is interest free and can be paid in conjunction with your rent.

Community Care.

Q . What entitles me to Community Care payments?

A. In determining the award of any of our benefits we must be satisfied that, inter alia, the applicant is permanently resident in Gibraltar and is or will be entitled to a Gibraltar Old Age Pension (OAP) or is in receipt of an Elderly Persons Allowance (EPA).

Men aged over 60 and under 65 can apply for employment as a Community Officer (CO) and will be required to provide certain social and community services (see below). The present rate of pay of a CO is £424.78 per month, but if he is additionally employed elsewhere this is reduced by the excess of his annual outside earnings over £15,000.

Men may apply at age 65 or over for the Household Cost Allowance (HCA), while women may apply at age 60 or over, or at any age if widowed and in receipt of a Widows Pension. HCA rates are currently £816 per quarter for a married couple (jointly) and £544 per quarter for a single person. Eligibility to the HCA is lost if the beneficiary is hospitalised long-term or is admitted to an institution for the elderly (eg Mount Alvernia).

Q. My spouse is undergoing treatment at St. Bernard's and will be there for about seven days, what proportion of the HCA will be deducted and paid to GHA?

A. None, no deductions are made for periods of hospitalisation less than 3 months. Q. If my spouse has to stay in hospital for 3 months or over, do we both lose eligibility to HCA?

A. No, only one loses eligibility, the other will be entitled to £544 the single person's rate. Q. What are my responsibilities and duties when becoming a Community Care Officer?

A. Community Care Officers are assigned duties deemed to be of benefit to the community. These duties are many and varied, and typical examples are: assisting wheelchair-bound residents of Mount Alvernia to the dining room at mealtimes; helping out at the Lady Williams Centre; running essential errands for individual house-bound persons (such as paying their bills and having their medicine prescriptions filled in).

Q. We have recently had new conditions and entitlements for Community Care Officers, where can I obtain all the relevant information on how these may affect me?

A. These new conditions only relate to a relaxation of the rule limiting registration as Community Officers to men not in outside employment (see above). More detailed information can be obtained from Gibraltar Community Care's office at Coaling Island.

Q. When should I apply to become a Community Officer?

A. You should apply for employment as Community Officer about a month before your sixtieth birthday.

Q. Who is entitled to Household Cost Allowance?

A. See Above.

Money Matters.

Q. What is the "Minimum Income Guarantee" when and how can I claim this?

A. Elderly Persons (60 yrs and over) who do not work (except in community schemes), live in Gibraltar and have a potential monthly income, from all sources, of less than £475 (single person) or £634 (married couple), may be eligible to a minimum income monthly payment to bring their level of income to £475 or £634, as the case may be. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Social Security, 14 Governor's Parade, Gibraltar.

Q. I, a woman, receive Old Age Pension on my own right, I have recently widowed, do I now receive a Widow's Pension in addition to my Old Age Pension?

A. No, you will not be able to receive a widow's pension in addition to your old age pension, you will receive the pension which is payable at the highest rate.

Q. As recently widowed, am I entitled to Death Grant?

A. Death Grant is a grant of £400 paid to a person who incurs the cost of the funeral or other appreciable expense, in connection with the death of an insured person or the death of the wife, husband, or child of an insured person. There are certain contribution conditions that must be satisfied for the receipt of this benefit. Further information may be obtained from the Department of Social Security, 14 Governor's Parade, Gibraltar.

Q. I understand I am entitled to an allowance for water and electricity charges. Where do I apply.

A. There is an annual discount available to domestic consumers who are the principal tenants or owners of the property where they reside and who have attained the age of 63. Forms can be collected from our Customer Service Offices at Leanse Place, 50 Town Range.

For guidance and advice on pension issues, contact: Gibraltar Pensioners Association on Tuesdays at John Mackintosh Hall at 11 am. The GPA can also be contacted via e mail at hjsmart@gibtelecom.net

Miscellaneous.

Q. I am 60 years of age, how do I obtain a Senior Citizen's Pass?

A. Apply in person at the Ministry for Family, Youth and Family Affairs in Governor's Street and do not forget to take 2 passport photos and your identity card.

Q. I shall soon be 60 years of age, how long before my birthday should I register with Community Care?

A. About a month before your 60th birthday you should register first with the Department of Social Security where they will issue a letter that needs to be taken to Community Care together with your ID Card, an electricity/water bill for proof of residency.

Q. Once in possession of a Senior Citizen's Pass, what benefits would I enjoy?

A. This Pass allows entry and use of the facilities at the Senior Citizens' and Disabled Persons Swimming Pool, when applying for a Panic Button and when availing yourself of the special prices and concessions detailed in the Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association's discounts list.

Q. I under stand the association runs a programme of physical activities etc. I want to take part in the Aqua Aerobics and other activities, where do I apply?

A. The association did start these programmes some years ago, but these have grown such, that a separate association has now been formed. You are advised to contact: The Sports and Leisure Department on telephone 200 76522 and / or Simone Redman 200 43738

Q. Would this pass entitle me to travel half price in the Gibraltar Bus Company's Buses?

A. Yes if you are a woman, no if you are a man under the age of 65. The Bus Company does not in practice accept Senior Citizen status for men at the age of 60, the Bus Company's criteria is that of Old Age Pensioner which attainable at age 65.

Q. I shall soon be 70 years of age, how do I apply for a bus pass which allows me to travel free?

A. Apply in person to the Gibraltar Bus Company's offices in Winston Churchill Avenue and do not forget to take your identity card and 2 passport photos.

Q. At 70, I am required to undergo medical tests before renewing my driving licence, what do I need to do?

A. Collect a Medical Form from the MOT Centre, fill it in and take to either a private Doctor or your GP at the Primary Care Centre for signature and stamp and (Doctor needs to tick box whereby person is fit to drive for the next 3 years) then return form to MOT Centre with two passport photos, licence is then issued free of charge.

Gibraltar Senior Citizens Association.

Q. Who are the members of the committee?

A. M. Ruiz tel. 200 78282, J. Murphy 200 74645, D. Rowbottom 200 70030, J. Aguilera 200 70665, J. Golt 200 78946, J. Gonzalez 200 71179, A. Olivero 200 75199, A. Vinales 200 71558, and J. Norton 200 77320.

Q. How do I become a member?

A. You are automatically a member on reaching the age of 60?

Q. What subscriptions are payable; and to whom?

A. There are no subscriptions to be paid.

Q. Where are the Association's offices or where are committee meetings held?

A. The committee meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at and by kind courtesy of the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses in Irish Town.

The names and telephone numbers of committee members are also listed in the Association's Special Prices and Discounts Lists.

The association can also be reached via their website seniorcitizens.ngo.gi and by e mail at gibseniors@gibtgelecom.net

<< Back