Relocating for JobBridge, can I apply for Rent Allowance?

blackcoat

Hey, sorry if this has been asked before but I can't find a straight answer anywhere.

I am currently getting jobseekers allowance. I have been offered a JobBridge internship that I feel will be a great help in getting full time work.

However, I will have to move to Dublin to do the internship which will mean an increase in my rent and cost of living in general (travelling to and from work etc.).

Can I apply for rent allowance?
Do I have to be living in a new place in Dublin before I apply?


Id appreciate any help/advice. Thanks

Balagan

Unfortunately, to qualify for Rent Supplement you have either have been renting for at least the last 6 months, have been able to afford the rent when the tenancy started and have since suffered a change in circumstances (income) OR be approved for social housing by the local authority.
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

Noo

Nope, i had to relocate for mine too and wasn't entitled to it, i had to use my social welfare to pay rent and all expenses i had. Unless you meet the criteria the above poster said then you won't get it.

blackcoat

Well I have been renting from a private landlord for over 6 months but in a different location in the west of the country.

What I'm wondering is, can I apply for it now and look for a place in Dublin or do I have to find a place, move in, then apply for rent allowance.

Thanks for the replies.

Lugh Ildanach

You should apply for rent supplement before you make any move, especially in a complicated case where they might end up refusing you.

What was position at the start of your current tenancy? If you were working then and paying the rent out of your own funds, then you should be fine, and can apply for rent supplement once you have identified the property that you want to move in to. Still, I would hold off moving until the application is processed, just in case! However, landlords don't want the delay, and you might have to just bite the bullet and move.

If you were not working at the start of your current tenancy, but have been paying your rent out of your social welfare payment, then you will have to be assessed in need of housing before you can apply for rent supplement. This is where the trouble will be. You cannot be assessed by a local authority until you are in their catchment area and have established links in the area!

Why are you not getting rent supplement now? If you need the local authority assessment, and if you are eligible for rent supplement at this stage, you should apply for it now, and then it will transfer with you when you move.

blackcoat

Thanks for that.

I'm not getting it now because I've never applied for it. I am probably entitled to it but have been just about managing without it and paying my rent out of my jobseekers allowance.

When I move to Dublin from what I've seen the rent will be considerably more than I'm paying now as well as the additional cost of living, getting to and from the internship etc. On top of this, I have to begin making loan repayments shortly also.

Its a difficult situation to be in as it now seems I have to move to Dublin and commit to a tenancy that I might not be able to afford in order to apply for rent allowance - which obviously isn't fair on the landlord either.

cogra10

I currently live with my parents, finished college in May. And was thinking of doing an arts internship down in Kilkenny but I get basic rate of social welfare 40 euro and if I do the internship I get 90 (with the added 50) So from reading this, I guess its a no-go because not affordable to do so.