Rent Supplement Questions

gline

Im looking to get rent supplement as I have been out of work over 6 months. I will be going in and enquiring soon, just have a few questions before I do.

What is the max rent in Dublin you can have with 2 people in a double bedroom flat before they will consider you (2 male single applicants). When calculating it, is it €92 per week (calculated form here - dublin Single person in shared accommodation max rate) + €24 a week (minimum contribution), for 2 people that works out at €928 a month, if both on the dole with no other income. is this correct or would 2 single people be counted by adding 2x monthly single person benifits (dublin, max rate) and 2x monthly minimum contributions, which adds up to €1168 a month with the method above.

Is this hows its calculated? The thing is, at the moment my rent is too high to qualify, but I need to know how much to get the rent dropped to to be eligable. or can you pay as much contribution as you want to make the difference, like say €50-60 a week each? Also do both people have to be on the lease?

If you do meet the qualifications will you definitly get rent supplement or is it "up to the community officer to make the decision"? Anything else I need to know about it aswell? things to watch out for.

snubbleste

The maximum rent a single person can be charged is €92 per week, so if your rent is that amount you will get €68 from the CWO and contribute €24 yourself.
Multiply by two to get the figures you're looking for.

If your rent is above that you will be refused rent supplement.

gline

snubbleste wrote: »

The maximum rent a single person can be charged is €92 per week, so if your rent is that amount you will get €68 from the CWO and contribute €24 yourself.
Multiply by two to get the figures you're looking for.

If your rent is above that you will be refused rent supplement.

Are you sure? because in section 5 here

it says "To calculate your Rent Supplement you subtract your total contribution from your rent."

So to caluclate max rent it would be 92 per week + your minimum contribution of €24 yourself = €928.


Also you said "The maximum rent a single person can be charged is €92 per week", however here there are 2 sections "Single person in shared accommodation" and "Single person", if it is 2 single claims can I not get the single person one which is €122 a week in Dublin?

Citizens Information: Graham

Hi gline

snubbleste's calculations look sound to me.

The rent paid to your landlord (ie, your contribution plus the Rent Supplement) should not exceed the maximum level set for your area. The maximum level for a single person in shared accommodation in Dublin is €92 per week. The HSE can set this level lower than the maximum for some local areas.

The figure of €122 you mention is the maximum rent level for a single person in Dublin living alone.

If your rent is greater than the maximum level set for your area, you may be ineligible for Rent Supplement.

When you visit the Community Welfare Officer, they will take all your assessable sources of income, subtract any income disregards and subtract the current rate of Supplementary Welfare Office (SWA). Your contribution is the result of this calculation plus the €24 minimum contribution.

You then subtract your contribution from the actual rent to find the amount of your Rent Supplement.

There are a number of qualifying conditions for Rent Supplement (you've probably checked these out already): http://www.welfare.ie/syndicatedcontent/en/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/rent_supplement/

Graham Long
Citizens Information

eggsnail

Citizens Information (Graham) wrote: »

Hi gline

snubbleste's calculations look sound to me.

The rent paid to your landlord (ie, your contribution plus the Rent Supplement) should not exceed the maximum level set for your area. The maximum level for a single person in shared accommodation in Dublin is €92 per week. The HSE can set this level lower than the maximum for some local areas.

The figure of €122 you mention is the maximum rent level for a single person in Dublin living alone.

If your rent is greater than the maximum level set for your area, you may be ineligible for Rent Supplement.

When you visit the Community Welfare Officer, they will take all your assessable sources of income, subtract any income disregards and subtract the current rate of Supplementary Welfare Office (SWA). Your contribution is the result of this calculation plus the €24 minimum contribution.

You then subtract your contribution from the actual rent to find the amount of your Rent Supplement.

There are a number of qualifying conditions for Rent Supplement (you've probably checked these out already): http://www.welfare.ie/syndicatedcontent/en/social-welfare-payments/supplementary-welfare-schemes/rent_supplement/

Graham Long
Citizens Information

Hi graham was wondering can you give me some advice
Thanks for any help in advance.My problem is i was intending to go to college this year,got my house sorted deposit paid,then i was refused entry into college.I decided to stay here in galway and look for work as i had no where else to live and no money.After six weeks I havnt found work , I borrowed 400 euro for last months rent of a money lender(not a good idea ,I know).Today i decided to go to my local C.W.O. I was refused rent allowance because my rent was above the threshold, I was receiving rent allowance in castlebar previously that was above the threshold(they just gave me 52 euro i had to pay73 euro myself).I cant find a differant place to live cos iv no money.Realisitcally is there any chance of a succesfull apeall. Im gonna be homeless in 2 weeks. thanks

Citizens Information: Graham

Hi eggsnail


I don't know what the outcome of the appeal would be but the process will take some time.

In the meantime I suggest you go back to the CWO and explain your circumstances, that you will be homeless shortly and need assistance. You could ask what help is available, for example, if you look for somewhere else to live within the Rent Supplement limits, will the CWO help with the deposit?

You should also put yourself forward for an assessment for the local authority housing list. To do this you contact the housing department of your local authority.

Graham

eggsnail

Citizens Information (Graham) wrote: »

Hi eggsnail


I don't know what the outcome of the appeal would be but the process will take some time.

In the meantime I suggest you go back to the CWO and explain your circumstances, that you will be homeless shortly and need assistance. You could ask what help is available, for example, if you look for somewhere else to live within the Rent Supplement limits, will the CWO help with the deposit?

You should also put yourself forward for an assessment for the local authority housing list. To do this you contact the housing department of your local authority.

thanks for your help.I was told that the rent cap is in place so as not to leave people living bellow 'the poverty line'.Surely this is doing the opposite for people in my position.I was told that by my previous c.w.o..Hopefully a return visit might change their minds