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Jobseekser Allowance Means Test Rent q

  • 03-10-2011 2:04pm
    #1
    fission
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭


    Hi,
    I'm filling out the blue form for the jobseekers allowance means test.

    One of the questions is about my rent.
    I'm hoping to get rent allowance as my rent in Cork is €300 per month.
    However is there a limit they'll give?
    A friend of mine said to tell them I only pay 250 because if it's more than this I will get NOTHING towards my rent at all.

    I'm confused....


Comments

  • #2
    snubbleste
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 31,117 ✭✭✭✭snubbleste


    Isn't there something on the form stating that providing false information is an offence?


  • #3
    fission
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭fission


    snubbleste wrote: »
    Isn't there something on the form stating that providing false information is an offence?

    Well, obviously I'm not going to give false info.
    I'm just wondering if its true that if I say 300 I will get nothing, but if I say 250 It would all be covered?


  • #4
    cee_jay
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭cee_jay


    You tell them what you are paying in rent.
    Information on rates can be found here:
    http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/RentSupplement.aspx#Rates3


  • #5
    fission
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭fission


    cee_jay wrote: »
    You tell them what you are paying in rent.

    Thanks for the link.
    It says on that site that "There is a maximum rent level for each area. If your actual rent is higher than the local maximum, you may be refused Rent Supplement entirely."

    My rent is €300 - the maximum rent level for my area is €285.
    Is there seriously a chance that they would refuse me? I only moved recently and €300 was the cheapest I could find.


  • #6
    tenchi-fan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,339 ✭✭✭tenchi-fan


    fission wrote: »
    My rent is €300 - the maximum rent level for my area is €285.
    Is there seriously a chance that they would refuse me?

    What part of maximum don't you understand? :P

    I think you should ask your landlord to reduce your rent to €285.


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  • #7
    fission
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭fission


    tenchi-fan wrote: »
    What part of maximum don't you understand? :P

    I think you should ask your landlord to reduce your rent to €285.

    There's no chance of the landlord reducing the rent. I only moved here 4 months ago as I knew I would be more than likely losing my job and would need the cheapest rent possible.

    I'm really sorry for my ignorance - But I have never been in this situation before.
    I'm only asking the question because I didn't know the answer.
    There is a big difference between receiving 285 and not receiving 285.

    I will need a back-up plan if I'm going to be refused any rent supplement, just because I pay €15 more than the limit.


  • #8
    cee_jay
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,920 ✭✭✭cee_jay


    If your landlord won't reduce the rent, you will have to look at moving house to somewhere within the rent limits in order to receive rent supplement.


  • #9
    LilMsss
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 153 ✭✭LilMsss


    fission wrote: »
    Hi,
    I'm filling out the blue form for the jobseekers allowance means test.

    One of the questions is about my rent.
    I'm hoping to get rent allowance as my rent in Cork is €300 per month.
    However is there a limit they'll give?
    A friend of mine said to tell them I only pay 250 because if it's more than this I will get NOTHING towards my rent at all.

    I'm confused....

    Just be honest on the form and state the rent you actually pay. From personal experience, the maximum rent in any area is a guideline. Obviously, if you are paying €1,000 per month for a penthouse apartment as a single person with no children, they will probably tell you that you need to move somewhere more affordable. In Dublin, the rent limit for a single person is €385 per month, however, it's difficult to get somewhere for this amount, even if you are renting a room in a houseshare.

    For the short period I was claiming rent allowance, my rent was about €100 over the limit and it wasn't a problem. It didn't mean I got any more towards my rent because believe me I didn't, but it didn't disqualify me from being eligible for rent allowance.

    If €285 is the limit in your area OP, then you will definitely not receive a monthly payment of €285, as there is a minimum amount you are supposed to pay yourself per week/month (€26 per week, I think). Obviously if your rent is higher than the limit set for your area, then you will pay the minimum monthly amount required by your CWO + make up the difference.

    Also, on a side note, applying for Social Welfare and applying for Rent Allowance/Supplement are two separate processes. In order to apply for Rent Allowance you must make an application to your local Community Welfare Officer, usually in your local Health Centre.


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