Rent Allowance Query

Monkey Business

Hi,

Am currently applying for rent allowance but have a few questions about it.

I was told I need to have the address of where I want to move to. How do I go about this? I can't find a place for definite as if my rent allowance application is rejected I wouldn't be able to afford the rent. Do I just need to say it to the landlord that I'm applying? Anyone have any experience with this?

I am due my first child in the Summer, can I claim for parent with one child now? I'd need two rooms for the baby when it comes along so would I be able to claim the higher rate for the child now?

Finally in the information I got it said for a couple with one child the maximum amount for an apartment I can get is €X. I have seen a few houses that fall a good bit below the maximum amount. Can I look at one of these or does it have to be an apartment?

Thanks

M

mp22

rent allowance http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

as for claiming for a child now I don't think that will fly.http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/one_parent_family_payment.html

Dempo1

forgive me but i was under the impression you had to be in private rented accomodation for at least 6 months before qualifying? open to correction however.

Monkey Business

mp22 wrote: »

rent allowance http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

as for claiming for a child now I don't think that will fly.http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/one_parent_family_payment.html

Thanks for the link but that doesn't give me other people's experiences.

I wasn't asking about claiming one parent payment. I was asking about rent allowance for parents with one child. I would probably have to move when the child is born if I couldn't get the higher rate as I'd need two bedrooms.

Dempo1 wrote: »

forgive me but i was under the impression you had to be in private rented accomodation for at least 6 months before qualifying? open to correction however.

You can as far as I know if you're found to be in need of housing.

cee_jay

Dempo1 wrote: »

forgive me but i was under the impression you had to be in private rented accomodation for at least 6 months before qualifying? open to correction however.

You may get Rent Supplement if you have been living for 6 months (183 days) out of the last 12 months in one, or a combination, of the following:

Accommodation for homeless people
Private rented accommodation. You can combine time living in more than one rented accommodation to satisfy the 6 months (183 days). You must be able to show that you could afford the rent at the beginning of your tenancy and that you could have continued to pay rent but are unable to do so because of a change in your circumstances which occurred after you started renting.
An institution, for example, a hospital, care home or place of detention
Or

Be assessed in the last 12 months by a local authority as being eligible for and in need of social housing. If you don't have a housing need assessment, you must go to the local authority to have your housing need assessed. The local authority must be in the same area that you intend to live and claim Rent Supplement. Only when you are assessed as eligible for and in need of housing can you apply for Rent Supplement. Rent Supplement is not payable while the local authority is carrying out a housing needs assessment.

Dempo1

cee_jay wrote: »

You may get Rent Supplement if you have been living for 6 months (183 days) out of the last 12 months in one, or a combination, of the following:

Accommodation for homeless people
Private rented accommodation. You can combine time living in more than one rented accommodation to satisfy the 6 months (183 days). You must be able to show that you could afford the rent at the beginning of your tenancy and that you could have continued to pay rent but are unable to do so because of a change in your circumstances which occurred after you started renting.
An institution, for example, a hospital, care home or place of detention
Or

Be assessed in the last 12 months by a local authority as being eligible for and in need of social housing. If you don't have a housing need assessment, you must go to the local authority to have your housing need assessed. The local authority must be in the same area that you intend to live and claim Rent Supplement. Only when you are assessed as eligible for and in need of housing can you apply for Rent Supplement. Rent Supplement is not payable while the local authority is carrying out a housing needs assessment.

Phew, that explains it better, I think the OP needs to get cracking!

JDxtra

Monkey Business wrote: »

I am due my first child in the Summer, can I claim for parent with one child now? I'd need two rooms for the baby when it comes along so would I be able to claim the higher rate for the child now?

You may not need to rooms straight away. Normally, a baby would sleep in a moses basket/crib/cot for around 6 months before being moved into their own room.

italodisco

Community welfare officer here..... Generally we will take your baby thats due into account if you have a letter (from Doctor/Midwife/Hospital) that shows you are 7+months pregnant.

HERE'S THE LIST OF WHAT WE LOOK FOR:

Show us you have been renting for six out of the previous 12 months ( utility bills going back 6 months), and a copy of your previous lease agreement

OR

If you have no bills etc then a Housing Needs Assessment from the County Council in the area you wish to Reside.

HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE WILL ASK FOR
(Contact the Free Phone for a full rent pack with all the forms you need / guidline booklet)

-Supplementary Welfare Allowance Claim Form (SWA1)
-Completed Habitual Residence form
-Completed signed Rent Supplement Application form (SWA3)
-Copy of Photo I.D
-Proof of your income/spouse partners income (3 recent payslips)
-Proof of savings/investments
-Bank account details and SIX MONTHS of bank statements
-Proof of ownership from the Landlord (insurance cert/mortgage statement/PRTB Registration letter)
-Current Lease

We understand that its hard at times to get your hands on all the required documents in one go. If possible you should wait until you have everything and send it all in together. if you start sending in bits and pieces your application will get held up.

Any other questions relating to rent supplement are welcome.

Cheers...

italodisco

almost forgot, there are rent maximum limits for different areas in Dublin and the other counties. If you send in an application for a house in Kildare, applying as a mother +1 child then the most you could be paying out for rent under our guidelines is €750 per month. The same family composition in Dublin 15 would be €930 pm .

There's a rent supplement limits guide in the Rent Pack.

ameee

Hi italadisco just wondered if you might know how long it may take when you move address for the rent allowence to start being paid to new address after sending off rent pack?or if there is a number you can call to find out thanks

aissmythsmh

Hi there, your info was very useful for the reader. I am in a similar situation also. In shared accomodation receiving rent allowance. Not a time to fall pregnant when unemployed but have always worked so that's the way it goes I guess. The father is from the UK & I have no contact with him & do not want anything from him. I am wondering if part of the process involves proof that I have looked for maintenance. I do not want maintenance or do not want the state doing it on my behalf. I just don't want this to effect my rent allowance for me & my child. What are your thoughts on this? Your help is greatly appreciated as I am finding it hard the CWO was horrible to me. Must have got her on a bad day which I can understand judging by the waiting room.

dreamingoak

So sorry the CWO was rude to you Aissmithsmh. They are usually fairly understanding if they can see you are genuine, but still I've been in tears down there many times. I have a barring order against my childs' father, I mentioned this when they asked about maintenance - I'd really rather not go anywhere near him for anything - and they just wrote 'barring order' on the box. Embarrassing, but there were no further questions about that.

Kerry3333

Hi Italodisco
I have a query regarding Rent Allownace. I recently applied and I live in a flat moved there six months ago. So I went into my CWO and applied and was accpeted, however I did try the council for the whole six months Ive been living there and still trying.
My query is, Although I was accepted My CWO has told me she may not be able to continue to pay my Rent Allowance.
Ive read in your comment that it is required that you must be living in Rented Accomodation for 6 months OR be assessed by the local authority has having a housing need.
Ok so why is my CWO telling me that she may not be able to continue my Rent Allowance?

Her reason was that the '6 month' rule was for people who could afford to pay their rent when they first moved in but (for example) lost their job and are no longer able to afford their Rent.

I understand this because I have read everything on the Internet regarding Rent Allowance, But can she really just take it off me after telling me that I qualify for it after renting for 6 months?

Nowhere in your comment do you say anything about being able to afford the rent at the start of the tenancy and can no longer afford your rent due to a change in circumstances.

The only reqirements stated in your comment are:

You must be in Private Rented Accomodation for 6 months and be able to prove this

OR

Be assesed by the Local Authority as having a housing need.



So could you please write back to me and tell me can my CWO take away my Rent Allowance after she said that I qualified for it?
(Im only receiving RA for 3 weeks now)


Thanks so much
Kerry

Genigeo

Hi I have been accepted on to the housing waiting list and have gone to apply for rent allowance, now i have been told i cannot claim it without first being in the property, however i am unable to pay deposit or first months rent. I thought that they gave you a one time deposit? Am I wrong?

mp22

You need to ask your local CWO about the chance of a loan for the deposit.