Thousands of medical card holders 'face cut tobenefits over SSIAs'

THOUSANDS of medical card owners who have the Government special savings schemes could have their benefits cut when they mature because it will push them over the income limit, the Labour Party warned yesterday.

The Department of Health has confirmed income people get from Special Savings Investment Accounts (SSIA) will be assessed on the same basis as other savings and investment.

The annual interest people earn from SSIAs will be included in their income when they are means tested for the medical card by health boards, a department spokeswoman said.