Supplementary Welfare Allowance Help

jameskil

HI Guys,

I applied for the rent allowance about 2 weeks ago. I got a letter today saying I was refused because;
"Your circumstances indicate that you could not have reasonably afforded the rent from your own resources at the commencement of tenancy";
"Evidence of housing need has not been established by the housing authority"

I have been renting the apartment along with a friend since July 2010. I pay 220 euro a month, which is the max in order to be considered in sligo. Does this not rebut the first refusal claim, insofar as i have been affording the rent since the commencement, albeit barely? Also in my application, a copy of a letter from the sligo borough council was sent, which stated that i had short term housing needs. Perhaps this letter was misplaced by them? Or does short term needs equal no allowance awarded?
Has anyone else had similar issues? I am going to appeal the decision but just wondered if anyone went through anything similar and what the outcome was.
I am receiving job seekers allowance and was issued a medical card.

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer