SW entitlements when cohabiting

SMM

Hi,

Bit of advice would be appreciated cos I'm pretty confused!

So I got let go at work about a month ago after working nearly 3years and apparently I'm entitled to job seekers benefit. I was also planning to claim rent allowance but I was wondering if I moved in with my (employed) boyfriend, how would this affect my entitlements?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Ginger83

if you were made redundant you are entitled to jobseekers benefit which is not means tested. Jobseekers allowance is!

SMM

Thanks for the reply. I'm just wondering if I can claim rent allowance when cohabiting in a rented house with my employed boyfriend? Also, how much are the rent allowance rates? Thanks

dlambirl

Talk to your Community Welfare officer

tesslab

In most cases when one of a couple is employed you cannot claim rent allowance. Was on to citizens information about this last week. In the same boat as yourself.
However if you're co-habiting with a friend you can claim it. (Apparently NO sex when you're claiming RA!!!:D)

dlambirl

Isnt it a pain in the b*ll*cks that you cant live with your OH and claim RA because they automatically assume the working partner is gonna provide for you 100% even though when you were both working everything was split 50/50?? But you can share with a friend who is working??

I would say though that the social welfare would be very suspicious of a male and female sharing on their own though?

tesslab

which is pure discrimination. However if both are unemployed both can claim RA. Tis a load of s**te!!
Being in this position myself it drives me nuts. If I were to rent by myself i would be claiming more rent allowance than i would need for sharing with my OH. You would think it makes more sense for them to shell out less money! Backwards kip!

jambo28

SMM wrote: »

Hi,

Bit of advice would be appreciated cos I'm pretty confused!

So I got let go at work about a month ago after working nearly 3years and apparently I'm entitled to job seekers benefit. I was also planning to claim rent allowance but I was wondering if I moved in with my (employed) boyfriend, how would this affect my entitlements?

Thanks in advance for any replies

hi,i am in the same boat!i live with my girlfriend in an apt we rent,rent officer says that if you are un-employed and your partner works more than 20hours per week then you are not entitled to any rent allowance!!!which is stupid,also she claimed that there is no in between with the claim,you either qualify and get it all(€806 per month)or nothing??!!!i cant understand the reason there i wasnt asking for that amount or anythig near it just some form of help as i was let go and the bills keep coming,the fact that my girlfriend does less then 30hours per week doesnt come into as im told its either "all or nothing"!

does anybody out there know any different or can offer any advice??it seems the spongers can just keep on sponging but the average joe in dire straits that gets let go has no form of help with rent................................any advice would be appreciated please!

Bull76

Hi,

I feel your pain. I'm co-habiting with my partner. I was made redundant. Since I live with my Girlfriend I will get Not a red cent due to the fact that she is working.
Is quiet dishearting. We would be better off if I moved out and rented somewhere else. That way I'd get something as opposed to a kick in the teeth. Why should my partner look after me. It wasn't that way when i was working.
Were regarded as a couple for social welfare, but I can't give her my tax cerdits as were not married. So why is it okay for the government to screw so many of us hard working folk, who have for numerous years worked hard and paid taxes. so when we need help were tolded to Fu*k off.

Sorry about the rant, just a bit pissed off and know that there is alot more people out there in the same boat as myself.
Best of luck in what you decide to do.

Moonbeam

Yet they won't let you share taxes.
Got to love the government and their 2 tier system.

Nehaxak

The two tier system in place now, if challenged in court, would not hold up - in fact it could well be deemed unconstituitional.

It requires though that someone actually makes and continues through with the challenge in the courts but given the cost involved in all of that, along with I'm sure the government vigorously defending it's side and instilling I'm sure multiple delays, it's not going to happen anytime soon.

The best option probably would be to make representations to the EU under human rights laws in that co-habiting couples and those that are married are not treated the same in regards tax and benefits as is evident and that the Irish government should be held accountable for this blatant discrimination.

Again though, that's more wishful thinking

As it stands now, it is deeply unfair and unjust. There are many couples happy to just live together without ever being married or having any intentions of getting married. The laws and regulations should move with the changing times but they rarely ever do.