HUGE Savings for Seniors In Mexico
Yes, even Gringo Seniors. Its a lot of work but it pays off fast.
Are you age 60 or better and a resident of Mexico and own property? If so, you can get a Senior citizen Discount Card called DIF and enjoy substantial savings. Discounts you will get are not clear and I have not found anyone that has a list but here are my findings so far. 50% OFF at the water supply company, 50% OFF on property taxes, discounts available at some restaruants, discount at movie theater, some airlines such as American, Continental, Paraguay Air and some local airlines, discount on some bus transportation, Soriana and other supermarkets.
Today I went to the water company and used my card for the first time and got my 50% discount. Then I went to the property tax department and also got my disscount applied for the next tax year. My wife and I saved a little over $1400 US dollars for the upcoming year so YES, it is worth the time and the trouble.
To get your discount card you will first need a CURP card. You will need the following original documents to get that:
Passport, FM2 or FM3 and a copy of your electricity bill.
Government agencies in Mexico are requiring the CURP number (personal ID number) for more and more purposes all the time. In this article I explain what that is, why you need it and how to get it. A CURPPC is a code of population registry (Clave unica de registro de poblacion), is pronounced "coo-erp" and is an identification number used to uniquely identify a citizen or resident of Mexico. It is similar to the social security number in the US.
Unlike other numbers which were initially introduced for social security or tax purposes, the CURP was introduced from the start to be a number used by all government departments in dealing with Mexican citizens or residents. Although it has not been widely used yet, it will eventually replace other ID's. The numnber is actually a series of numbers and letters, 18 characters long which consist of date of birth, various letters from your name and some computer generated digits that make it unique to you.
There are special rules if the letters extracted from your name form an "inconvenient word" for example LOCO. The first vowel is usually replaced with an X. If your curious about what four letter words you should avoid in Spanish, there is a list in the CURP procedures manaual. Why do you need a CURP? In some areas of Mexico, a CURP has always been issued by FM2 or FM3 residence permit holders. That hasn't been the case here, but that is changing. When you renew your FM2 or FM3 you will now be required to provide your CURP. For most foreigners this will be the main reason to now get a CURP. When you obtain a mobile phone, you currently have the choice of showing a passport (in person) or using a CURP number (over the phone). So a CURP isn't essential for this yet, but may be eventually.
You will now need a CURP if you have any dealinbgs with IMSS (social security). An example would be when you have the social security payment for the workers on a construction project put under your name (as you should). You need a CURP for that. In many area's of Mexico it has also been a requirement to provide a CURP to open a bank account, but that has not been applied locally here in Los Cabos.
How to get a CURP? In Baja you can get your CURP at the Registro Civil del Estado (state civil registry in the municipal offices). It varies greatly where you can get your CURP. Sometimes a tax office. In Mexico City its at the offices of INEGI (national institute of statistics and geography) and so on -- you'll need to ask locally. Anyway, once you get to the municipal office ask at the desk "coo-erp por favor". They will enter your details in the computer and print off your CURP information there and then at no charge. It should be possible to get your CURP with just an FM2 or FM3 and electricity bill. But taking your passport as well might help.
The CURP will come on a couple of bits of paper, one of which has a card you can cut out and fold into a credit card size (make a copy first). When you get home you can verify your CURP is present on the system by entering it on the CURP checker at e.Mexico. Enter the number in the top section at CURP and press (buscar) search. You will note that it gives you various information about your self including birth date, nationality, and FM2 or FM3 number. So like a social security number, you should aim to keep your CURP number as private as possible.
So now that you have the CURP, begin with the fun of getting your DIF card. Go to a photo shop and get six "infantil" size photos and gather eight copies of the following: CURP document you just got, FM2 or FM3, passport, current electricity bill, marriage certificate if you are female, because the name on your birth certificate is not the same as on your passport or work permit and they need to match up the documents. Bring your Birth certificate also, and have the originals of all of the above with you too. The time line to get your DIF card can vary depending on vacations, holidays, sickness, and can they find the typewriter and someone to use it, and finally how many others are in front of your application.
If you still need help to obtain your CURP number and DIF card call me. Bob Jancovics, cell phone 624-129-9232. No my help is not free. Bob is also the guy who facilitates obtaining South Dakota license plates for Gringos who have difficulty registering their cars in their state and don't want the hassle for expired tags. No that service is not free either. He make his living providing these services.
Article written by Bob Jancovics as seen in the Gringo Gazette