Am I entitled to rent allowance?

LickiRake

Hey, I'm wondering if anybody can help me? I had been living in private rented accommodation the last 3 years, paying 500 a month, until recently. I was made redundant in January of this year and at the time had no idea that rent allowance existed. I signed on for Job Seekers Benefit which was 147 and lived off the 3000 I got in redundancy and 1400 I got in owed holiday pay while looking for a job. With no luck on the job front and all of my redundancy and holiday pay gone, I had no choice but to move back home to my parents house on a temporary basis. I only recently discovered rent allowance existed and my question is because I have moved home temporarily will I now be ineligible for rent allowance?

bgo1

Living with parents you will not be eligible as it is the exception in the rules.

However, you are nearly certain of getting it if you find a new place, get a lease and are unemployed. Speak to a community welfare officer in your area.

maryk123

if you can prove you are renting for the last 183 days in 12 months - 6 months and that it was a temporary situation moving home you are entitled.

PammyD

I think u have to be at the rented property for a minimum of 1 year before being elidgible for it...

bgo1

PammyD wrote: »

I think u have to be at the rented property for a minimum of 1 year before being elidgible for it...

All you are doing is confusing the original poster by saying 'I think' when your not sure, the previous poster to you gave the right advice, its 6 mths.

LickiRake

bgo1 wrote: »

PammyD wrote: »

I think u have to be at the rented property for a minimum of 1 year before being elidgible for it...

All you are doing is confusing the original poster by saying 'I think' when your not sure, the previous poster to you gave the right advice, its 6 mths.

Cheers for the advice, is it 6 months of the last year?or 6 months straight? It is difficult to find info for individual cases online but I do appreciate the advice. I'm going to call in tomoro and explain my situation! Thanks again!

bgo1

Cant give you a comprehensive answer im afraid but they will tell you straight away when speak to them, I have found that how nice you are to them does have an influence on decisions..especially the Community Welfare Officer...its all very subjective on their part.

By the way there is a lot of form filling as you have to join the official housing list to get rent allowance now, they say it can take months for approval but again speak to CWO who can jumpstart it if really want outa your parents and your own place, though RA will only cover a part of your rent most likely def. not all of it, rate depends on what county you are in.

Balagan

LickiRake wrote: »

Cheers for the advice, is it 6 months of the last year?or 6 months straight? It is difficult to find info for individual cases online but I do appreciate the advice. I'm going to call in tomoro and explain my situation! Thanks again!

This document is helpful: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html
You'll note that the 6 months out of the last 12 months can be made up by combining rental periods from different accommodation. Hopefully, you can meet that criteria. Be careful about leaving home now to get a place because to qualify for the supplement you have to show that you were able to show that you could afford the rent when the tenancy started and have since suffered a downturn in circumstances. Also, although it says that you have to be either renting for 6 months OR be on the housing list, the practice is usual now for CWOs to insist on both, so best to go to your local authority asap. You will have to pay €30 weekly of the rent yourself and you need to find a place which does not exceed the rent amount specified for your area because Rent Supplement will not be given to you if your rent exceeds the maximum for your area.