INAPAM (INSEN)

[Heather]

The INAPAM process in GTO is really straightforward. Took me about 15 minutes to get my card last week at the office in Callej?n de los Hospitales, just near the very old church up the hill to the left of the university.

Your INAPAM card allows you many discounts. To be eligible you need to be over 60, and have an FM2 or FM3. INAPAM is a federal program designed to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens in Mexico, and make it cheaper as well. And since October 2007, it's available to foreigners who live in Mexico as permanent residents on an FM-2 or FM-3 visa.

From the information online I have gleaned that INAPAM stands for Instituto Nacion?l de las Personas Adultas Mayores. Discounts can include half price for long-distance buses and local buses, free museum admissions, discounts on symphony and theatre tickets, savings on your water bill, lab tests, eyeglasses, discounts in some shops and restaurants and hotels.

What Do You Need to Apply?

Take:
* Passport
* Birth certificate
* Valid FM-2 or FM-3 residence visa
* Photo ID such as passport or driver's license
* Proof of current residence in Mexico: i.e. a utility bill in your name, deed to your home, or rental lease
* Contact information for someone to be contacted in case of emergency
*One photocopy of everything on this list (incl photo page of passport)
NB. Infantil photos not required as they now take the photos there.

Worth doing for the ETN and Cervantino discounts alone!

[yanajon]

Thanks for the info heather!
I've had my INAPAN for quite some time but wasn't aware of the discounts on Water Bills nor eye glasses. I suppose you just show your card when paying the water bill, but are you aware of which shops give discounts on glasses? I'm soon to be in need of new frames and lenses
Thanks -- Oh, and thanks for the tip on the book "Gift from El Tio"
Great read!

Jon

[laconstance]

INAPAM is not just about discounts.

Ask the nice lady at the desk for a list of activities. There are craft classes, informal get-togethers for stitching or cards or similar. Exercise classes. Something going on all the time in just about every time slot. A great opportunity to get to know and share activities with amazingly active M?xican elders!

[acabrol]

Thank you for all the useful information. I'll make sure to apply for the card soon. Antoine

[doncoulter]

Does anyone know of specific local stores that give INAPAM discounts? I've asked around a little and always come up with nada.

For example, I've checked several drugstores and found that only those at Mega and Comercial Mexicana offer discounts. I believe they offer 15 percent, which sounds great until you realize that many of their prices are about 20 percent too high to begin with.

As for water, has anyone gotten a discount from SIMAPAG? If so, what's the procedure for getting it?

Don

[mr bill]

On SIMAPAG you could call them at 732-0111 or e-mail at contactanos@simapag.gob.mx

INAPAM has it own web site where it lists many businesses that offer discounts - but most are in Mexico City or Edo Mex The page is here then hit the drop down box labeled Beneficios Tarjeta INAPAM or click on the categories in the box on the right side.

Aeromexico is in there as well as a number of hotels.

Mega/Comercial only offer a 5% discount in the pharmacy.

The Irapuato Zoo offers free admission and the giraffes are very friendly

[acabrol]

I went to the INAPAM office and got my card in about 5 minutes. For future reference I would like to add the following info:
1. The office is open from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
2. They told me that they don't take photos in the office and they directed me to MacroFoto to get infantil photos. MacroFoto is located on Alonso, a 5 minutes walk from the INAPAM office

[KathrynW]

To save someone else the hassle, one can no longer get an INAPAM card with a temporary residency card. Only a permanent card, as per the GTO office person in charge. I heard they used to give them with a Temp Res card, but no longer.
Gosh, the arbitrary enforcement and frequent changing of regulations gets frustrating to those trying to follow the letter of the law!
Katy

[mr bill]

If you don't have Residente Permenante it is still worth a try just arm yourself with a copy of the INAPAM website's requisitos found here:

Requisitos para obtener la Tarjeta INAPAM

Al solicitar la Tarjeta Inapam deberán cubrir tres requisitos:

a) Comprobar su identidad
b) Comprobar su edad (tener 60 años cumplidos o más)
c) Comprobar su domicilio.

Y lo podrá hacer presentando en original (acompañado de fotocopia en caso de acudir algún módulo de afiliación tradicional) los siguientes documentos.

[laconstance]

Recently, I lost the card that I had had for many years. When I went to the INAPAM office to get a replacement, the lady couldn't have been nicer. I had a photocopy of my old card, and my passport copy and my residente permanente copy, and that is all they needed. They took my photo and did ask more questions relative to what would be useful if I were found conked out on the street. Also, took prints of both index fingers. They had all my old information in their computer.

I do think that the new format (complete with QR code that gets you to the home page of INAPAM, but does not reveal any personal information) is very new, because the bus drivers really scrutinized it the first several times I used it on a bus.

I wonder what would have happened if I still had only an FM-3 … ?