Can you get Rent Allowance on the Back to Work Allowance payment?

ByronB

If you become self employed you go from your dole to the Back to Work Enterprise Payment which is the same amount as the dole but it gets reduced by a certain amount each year.

Question is does this entitle me to rent allowance or since it's considered self employed does this mean i am not entitled to it?

I wanted to move to shared accommodation but it's still like 80 euro a week.

Thanks a lot.

mp22

n addition you will keep secondary benefits for three years, provided your household income is less than €317.43 gross per week. Household income includes your spouse's/civil partner's or cohabitant's income but allows for PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses. Income from Back to Work Allowance and Family Income Supplement are disregarded for the purposes of the €317.43 gross weekly household income limit. Secondary Benefits include:

• Fuel Allowance
• Medical card (household income limit does not apply)
• Diet Supplement
• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
• Local Authority Differential Rent.

The Back to Work Allowance is not subject to PRSI or income tax deductions.
Your Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement may be affected.


From here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_and_work/back_to_work_allow.html


As rent allowance is means tested your total income will be taken into account.