BajaNomad

INAPAM card – question regarding application requirements

unbob - 1-25-2020 at 10:27 AM

Since I'm well past the minimum age to qualify for the INAPAM card (Institute National de Las Personas Adultos Mayores), I'd like to get one asap.

The problem is I have no way of proving residency. Yes, I have my Residente Permanente card but no telephone, water or electric bill showing my address. We rent a casita and the casita owner pays all those bills. Hence, no utility bills in my name.

Has anyone here encountered this same problem? Is there a "workaround" solution?

Seems terribly unfair to disqualify permanent residents from obtaining the INAPAM card simply because they rent instead of own their residence.

paranewbi - 1-25-2020 at 02:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by unbob  

Seems terribly unfair to disqualify permanent residents from obtaining the INAPAM card simply because they rent instead of own their residence.

Personally, it seems terribly unfair that uninvested foreigners-- who have historically contributed little to the society and who likely receive income hugely superior to the older native Mexicans for whom these subsidies were designed-- should even qualify for these discounts.

Speaks well of the society and poorly of those who-- in my opinion-- abuse its generosity . :wow:


And there you go unbob... a concise simple answer to your question. Now was that so hard?

Sandlefoot - 1-25-2020 at 02:33 PM

Get one or two of the bills for your rental, even if they are not in your name, and take them with your rental agreement and resident card. They should give it to you on the spot!!!


unbob - 1-25-2020 at 02:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by lencho  
Quote: Originally posted by unbob  

Seems terribly unfair to disqualify permanent residents from obtaining the INAPAM card simply because they rent instead of own their residence.

Personally, it seems terribly unfair that uninvested foreigners-- who have historically contributed little to the society and who likely receive income hugely superior to the older native Mexicans for whom these subsidies were designed-- should even qualify for these discounts.

Speaks well of the society and poorly of those who-- in my opinion-- abuse its generosity . :wow:
Sorry amigo but I disagree. I have "invested" tens of thousands of usd these past 16 years in the Baja economy. Unlike some I'm a law-abiding resident and respect the country, people and culture of Mexico. True, my income is "superior" to most older Mexicans. If that's my "fault" I plead guilty. If you have a problem with my taking advantage of the INAPAM program I suggest you complain to the administrators and demand they stop offering their senior discount card to greedy "uninvested foreigners".

unbob - 1-25-2020 at 02:51 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Sandlefoot  
Get one or two of the bills for your rental, even if they are not in your name, and take them with your rental agreement and resident card. They should give it to you on the spot!!!
Gracias for your reply. There is no rental agreement - nothing in writing. My landlord is a wonderful Mexican man who I totally trust and respect. Apparently he trusts me as well - I was never asked to sign anything and he accepts my word that I will continue to pay the monthly rent. So far, it's been a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Another reason I love Mexico and it's people!

chippy - 1-25-2020 at 03:06 PM

Do you live in Mexico full time? If no then why do you think you should qualify? Spending x amount of dollars does not qualify.

unbob - 1-25-2020 at 05:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Do you live in Mexico full time? If no then why do you think you should qualify? Spending x amount of dollars does not qualify.
Irrelevant questions. Living full-time in Mexico and spending x amount of dollars are not requirements to qualify for INAPAM card.

chippy - 1-26-2020 at 07:18 AM

Not irrelevant at all. Tourists should not qualify.

mtgoat666 - 1-26-2020 at 07:53 AM

Quote: Originally posted by unbob  
Since I'm well past the minimum age to qualify for the INAPAM card (Institute National de Las Personas Adultos

Has anyone here encountered this same problem? Is there a "workaround" solution?

Seems terribly unfair to disqualify permanent residents from obtaining the INAPAM card simply because they rent instead of own their residence.


seems like the workaround solution is to explain the situation to the administrator. Have you gone into the INAPAM office and tried to get a card? I am sure there are lots of elderly Mexicans without bills in their name, so you are not the first undocumented senior they have dealt with at INAPAM...

gnukid - 1-26-2020 at 08:07 AM

Unbob, it may seem odd, but the bills do not need to be in your name, nor of your exact address, they simply need to be current. Get an original and a copy from anyone, they can also be downloaded from the internet if you know the account numbers, oftentimes. It simply is a reference that you are somebody who is current. The owner may not want to give up the bills to you, or they may not mind, you just need someone's bill. Many Mexicans never pit the bills in their own name, they leave in the previous owners name or some other reference.
You have gone to the Hacienda to declare your domicilo as part of the Residency and have a RFC Persona Fisica and CURP number, you can go there in person and ask for a recent "copy" of the declaration of residency direction of domicile, RFC and CURP or you can on line to print a copy or you may have a recent copy in your records, so bring all of that, the PR card and copy, evidencia de domicilio and copy, a cobrabante and copy that is current, Passport and copy and ask what else they want? Support for Seniors is not limited to any Nomads opinions, it something that every senior living here legally as a legal resident can receive as a symbol of the community support for all seniors regardless of your personal story. You are so old!

norte - 1-26-2020 at 08:20 AM

I agree with Lencho...Invested means more than tourist dollars. Have you worked and paid into the hacienda?

Hook - 1-26-2020 at 08:54 AM

I have been qualified for that card for a long time. But what keeps me from doing it is because in many cases, like bus rides or plane tickets or ferry tickets, the number of discounted seats are limited. At least this is what I am told.

And if they are limited, I would just as soon they go to people who are in more need of the discount.

Truth be told, I might actually qualify for being "upper middle class" in the US (whatever that definition might be). Down here, I would probably qualify as "rich" (again, depending on the definition).

I am not a hard-core socialist. But I refuse to be blind to the inequities of capitalism, through no fault of the victims left behind. And this country is full of them. I won't add to their woes. The money I might save isn't worth the potential loss to them.

But I understand that there are foreign retirees in Mexico that are just scraping by. I wont judge them for getting a card. Just a personal choice.

[Edited on 1-26-2020 by Hook]

Alm - 1-26-2020 at 11:04 AM

INAPAM benefits are meager. Gringos retiring in Baja are not usually in the lowest income tier, otherwise they would've lived somewhere in Michoacan or on the highlands of Guadalajara and CDMX where rent is cheaper. There are of course exceptions, ex. health conditions won't let you stay at high elevations so you have to tighten your already tight belt and stay in Baja, but those are few and far in between.


[Edited on 1-26-2020 by Alm]

unbob - 1-26-2020 at 11:47 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
I have been qualified for that card for a long time. But what keeps me from doing it is because in many cases, like bus rides or plane tickets or ferry tickets, the number of discounted seats are limited. At least this is what I am told.

And if they are limited, I would just as soon they go to people who are in more need of the discount.

Truth be told, I might actually qualify for being "upper middle class" in the US (whatever that definition might be). Down here, I would probably qualify as "rich" (again, depending on the definition).

I am not a hard-core socialist. But I refuse to be blind to the inequities of capitalism, through no fault of the victims left behind. And this country is full of them. I won't add to their woes. The money I might save isn't worth the potential loss to them.

But I understand that there are foreign retirees in Mexico that are just scraping by. I wont judge them for getting a card. Just a personal choice.

[Edited on 1-26-2020 by Hook]
Hook, thank you for that sensible post. I can't disagree with anything you said. However, I would still like to carry the INAPAM card in my pocket. No intention to obtain a discount on every single transaction but would probably use it on large purchases.

unbob - 1-26-2020 at 11:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  
Unbob, it may seem odd, but the bills do not need to be in your name, nor of your exact address, they simply need to be current. Get an original and a copy from anyone, they can also be downloaded from the internet if you know the account numbers, oftentimes. It simply is a reference that you are somebody who is current. The owner may not want to give up the bills to you, or they may not mind, you just need someone's bill. Many Mexicans never pit the bills in their own name, they leave in the previous owners name or some other reference.
You have gone to the Hacienda to declare your domicilo as part of the Residency and have a RFC Persona Fisica and CURP number, you can go there in person and ask for a recent "copy" of the declaration of residency direction of domicile, RFC and CURP or you can on line to print a copy or you may have a recent copy in your records, so bring all of that, the PR card and copy, evidencia de domicilio and copy, a cobrabante and copy that is current, Passport and copy and ask what else they want? Support for Seniors is not limited to any Nomads opinions, it something that every senior living here legally as a legal resident can receive as a symbol of the community support for all seniors regardless of your personal story. You are so old!
Thanks for that very useful information. Very much appreciated!

Alm - 1-26-2020 at 11:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
I understand that there are foreign retirees in Mexico that are just scraping by.

Like I wrote in earlier post - very few of them are in Baja.

BajaBlanca - 1-27-2020 at 10:13 PM

So many ways to look at this issue. If you do use the discount for the bus, like I do as a Mexican citizen, you then have more cash available to help others who aren't old enough to have INAPAM.

norte - 1-28-2020 at 12:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
So many ways to look at this issue. If you do use the discount for the bus, like I do as a Mexican citizen, you then have more cash available to help others who aren't old enough to have INAPAM.


You paid your taxes for many years and earned the right...unlike some of the other mooches.

BajaBlanca - 1-29-2020 at 02:09 AM

I do see it very differently than most because if you are here as a tourist, you are helping out the ma's and pa's that are running the taco stand, the ones that are running the veggie n fruit stand where you might buy oranges or the guys and sometimes gals at the gas stations. The more you have in your pocket, the more you spend, the better off all around!

surabi - 2-1-2020 at 12:09 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Not irrelevant at all. Tourists should not qualify.


What are you talking about? Tourists don't qualify. You have to be a resident.

chippy - 2-1-2020 at 07:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Not irrelevant at all. Tourists should not qualify.


What are you talking about? Tourists don't qualify. You have to be a resident.



Im talking about people who have resident papers but don´t live here.

chippy - 2-1-2020 at 07:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by chippy  
Not irrelevant at all. Tourists should not qualify.


What are you talking about? Tourists don't qualify. You have to be a resident.



Im talking about people who have resident papers but don´t live here.

rhintransit - 2-1-2020 at 08:23 AM

I’ve got an INAPAM card somewhere, from maybe ten years ago, I too wondered what it was good for and applied for it mainly, well, just because I found I could. I think I tried to use it on a bus back then, and found out about the limited seats available. And I used it a couple of times in museums when I visited Oaxaca, again, many many years ago.
The discounts then, and now, are small, and I doubt many foreign born residents would ‘need’ them (but if any reader here does, go for it, more power to you)

Here’s a list of the discounts available currently. I really doubt anyone could spend/save any money on ‘big purchases’

Pharmacies: Wal-Mart, Bodega Aurrera, Soriana, La Comer, Sam's Club, Superama, etc.

Laboratories: such as Simi, CHOPO and some Orthopedic and Optical centers.

Restaurants: including California, Wings, Woolworth, Applebee's, El Porton, Pastelerías El Globo, Vip's, SanBorn's Cafeteria, etc.

Department Store: Suburbia

Recreation & Cultural: Hotels, Water Parks, Museums, Recreational Parks, Archeological Sites

Buses: ETN and Primera Plus 50% discount

Airlines: Interjet and AeroMexico 15 to 20%​​ based on age and usually not on having an INAPAM card.

Movie Theaters: Cinepolis, Cinemex

Bob and jane - 2-1-2020 at 08:32 AM

Also water bills, car papers, driver's licenses...……..

bajaguy - 2-1-2020 at 10:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and jane  
Also water bills, car papers, driver's licenses...……..




And property taxes

Marla Daily - 2-1-2020 at 06:35 PM

https://themazatlanpost.com/2020/01/22/meet-inapam-mexicos-d...

INAPAM cards were designed by the Mexican government, in part, to ENCOURAGE Americans and other foreigners to retire as residents in Mexico. Where we live, property taxes are discounted by 50%/year; water bill is 50% off. We are surrounded by restaurants and pharmacies that welcome senior cards. An INAPAM card is a nice thing to have.

rhintransit - 2-1-2020 at 06:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Marla Daily  
https://themazatlanpost.com/2020/01/22/meet-inapam-mexicos-d...

INAPAM cards were designed by the Mexican government, in part, to ENCOURAGE Americans and other foreigners to retire as residents in Mexico. Where we live, property taxes are discounted by 50%/year; water bill is 50% off. We are surrounded by restaurants and pharmacies that welcome senior cards. An INAPAM card is a nice thing to have.


Maybe in Mazatlan?
Hey, Maria Daily, I just noticed your location is Loreto. Mine, too. I’ve found the reduction in water bill is negligible, certainly not 50%, and I thought that the local government decided four or five years ago no INAPAM discounts for gringo property taxes. Yes, I live in Loreto Bay and yes, they red-line. Discounts for paying certain months before, but do you really get an INAPAM discount? Would love to know more on that. I’ve never heard of a restaurant in Loreto that takes the card. Please enlighten me. I haven’t tried using the card at a pharmacy, since monday is regular 50% off day. I do use it on the mainland for admissions to museums, archeological sites, etc. I’ve tried using the card for buses, here and on the mainland, and have never once found an available senior seat...always ‘no hay.’
Maybe I should find the thing, dust it off, and try using it again.


[Edited on 2-2-2020 by rhintransit]

[Edited on 2-2-2020 by rhintransit]

[Edited on 2-2-2020 by rhintransit]

Hook - 2-2-2020 at 06:21 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  



And property taxes


Yeah, that's never worked for us in our area. Flat out refused.

karenintx - 2-2-2020 at 02:20 PM

We too have our INAPAM cards, I just got mine and the hubby has had his for 10 years.  In fact while I was getting mine, my husband showed the helpful lady (at the INAPAM office) his "old" card.  She suggested he get the current card which he did.   

We have only used the card at a couple of places.  When our cat was still alive, she required thyroid medication so it was about a 10% discount.  Here in CSL, they do give INAPAM card holders a 50% discount on property taxes.  Here's whats funny...many gringos "think" they are getting the 20% discount that is given to everyone in the month of January PLUS an additional 50% off with their INAPAM card.  Truth is, they can get one or the other not both but it is amazing how people can not do simple math or they would be able to calculate they are only getting a 50% discount.  As we as in the South...Bless their hearts!!

In order to get the 50% discount at the CSL tax office we are required "every year" to provide two copies of our USA passport, two copies of our INAPAM card, two copies of our R/P cards (front & back on the same page).  In the past there has been a "special window" for senior citizens" during the month of January only. 

This year (January) when the hubby went to pay our taxes the computers were down so he could not pay but it did allow him to ask some questions. He was able to confirm the max discount is 50% and if you have an INAPAM card you will still get the 50% when you pay in February so there is no need to rush down to the tax office in January since that is their busiest month.  The young lady answered "yes" to both questions.

Like many folks here have said...the rules seem to be different depending what city/office you go to!