The DIF Card—Discounts for Senior Citizens – Mexican or Foreign!

•  The DIF Card is for the State of Jalisco, Mexico.  

• The INAPAM Card is for the Country of Mexico. 

Discounts on museums, first-class bus travel, the hot springs in San Juan Cosala and many more items.

Cost to you: Nothing

Eligibility: 60 years of age or older AND have a residency Visa (FM-2 or FM-3)

Renewals: Never...the card is permanent

Address: Degollado 327, Chapala (near the post office)
The DIF office is on Degollado in Chapala.

Phone Number: 765-3349  

Directions : Going toward Chapala from Ajijic. Turn left at the main stoplight, go past the Chapala Plaza (on your right). Two block north of the Plaza (Degollado), turn right. Continue on Degollado (you will cross Juarez, Zaragoza, 5 de Mayo). The DIF is on your left in the middle of the following block next to the Chapala Post Office. 

The Chapala DIF office is located
near the corners of Guerrero & Degollado 

By the way, if you live in Ajijic, your new DIF office is located at the east side of Camino Real (where the horses are)…near the intersection of Revolucion (the Wednesday tianguis street).

DIF Office Hours:
DIF Card Office: Monday and Tuesday 9 am-2 pm.
DIF Office hours: Monday through Friday 9 am-2 pm and 4 pm-7 pm.
Library Hours: Monday through Friday 9 am-8 pm and Saturday 8 am-2 pm.

To get your DIF card, you will need: You MUST have a residency Visa (FM2 or FM3)

• Two copies of proof of address. You can take an electric or phone bill with your address on it. If you are renting, you can use a copy of your lease as proof of address.  Must be a current utility bill.
  
   
• Four photographs—infantile (very small) You can get them immediately at various photo shops at Lakeside or you can go to the Farmacia Guadalajara.
  
   
• Two copies of your passport.
   
• Two copies of your FM-2 or FM-3, including every page and front and back cover.
  
   
• An emergency contact name and phone number (land line).
   
• Your blood type.

At the DIF office:
We were surprised when we went…there was no waiting. I had even taken a book with me, because I figured this would be a long, drawn-out process. 

When you enter the building, you will see a receptionist who will direct you to the proper office…about four doors down on your left.  

When we arrived at this office, we were greeted by a lady who spoke only Spanish. However, there were signs everywhere in Spanish and English about the DIF card and that it was free to both Mexicans and Foreigners.

Your DIF card is also permanent; there are no annual renewals.

When we finally got our cards, by the way, we not only received the DIF Jalisco card, good for the state of Jalisco only, but we also received the national version of this card INAPAM, which is good throughout the country of Mexico.

There were four of us and it took less than 45 minutes for all of us to be checked in as she typed up the applications and checked our documents. She gave us an appointment to return the following week to pick up our cards, which, again, was a very simple task. The DIF card is laminated; the INAPAM was not, so we just laminated it ourselves.

Just in case you didn’t know, “DIF is the national institution for social services. DIF is the acronym for Desarollo Integral de la Familia (Whole Development of the Family). The DIF focus is always on the family: the strengthening of the family, all members, all ages. DIF offers services to all Mexicans (and to foreigners with an FM-3 or FM-2).” 

There is usually one branch in most towns, including Chapala and Ajijic.

DIF has been enormously important to the marginalized and vulnerable population, including the very elderly, the very poor and single mothers, who for example, can receive social assistance, medical assistance, and even food. Our maid and gardener get milk from DIF for their children.
  

Card Benefits

Out on the sidewalk we looked at the booklet of discounts to which we are entitled with the use of our DIF cards. The staff members told us that the opportunities for discounts are rapidly expanding and that in May, with our new nation-wide INAFAM card we would see even more benefits.

You have discounts on museums, parks and theaters (Teatro Degollado), restaurants (Sanborns), hotels, even hospitals (Hospital San Pio, 20% discount and Hospital Santa Margarita, 10% discount…among the eight on the list).

Click here view the discount book to see what discounts are available...