Single mom losing job

AnnaV

I am being dismissed from my job which is my only source of income. I am a single mom and we live in a rented apt (with rate above city average).
What potentially can I get in benefits from the state while looking for a new place?
Would I be entitled to any housing supplement while my rent is above estimated average?
Would I get single parent allowance on top of job seekers allowance?
Housing is my biggest concern since my daughter's school is in the area, and it is very hard to find a new accommodation without employer's reference.

mp22

Start here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/one_parent_family_payment.html

Then here http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

njs030

Do you mean above the rent allowance allowed amount? They can make payments above that at their discretion.

How old is your child? One parent family payment is only paid to people with a child under 7, above that you would get jobseekers allowance.

AnnaV

I read up Citizens Information, and this is exactly what is a bit confusing: it sounds that rent supplement might or might not be granted, so mostly it will be just up for the officer to decide if they want to make exception? Our current rent is about 300+ above the estimated city average.
My daughter is 6 soon, and her father pays me average maintenance amount (not complaining on that, but from what I know it might also affect the one-parent family payment eligibility?)

njs030

AnnaV wrote: »

I read up Citizens Information, and this is exactly what is a bit confusing: it sounds that rent supplement might or might not be granted, so mostly it will be just up for the officer to decide if they want to make exception? Our current rent is about 300+ above the estimated city average.
My daughter is 6 soon, and her father pays me average maintenance amount (not complaining on that, but from what I know it might also affect the one-parent family payment eligibility?)

Forget about the city average, you need to find out what the allowed rent allowance amount in your area is, ring sw and ask. If your rent is above the allowed amount it will be at the CEO's discretion if they award it.

Yes maintenance payments are classed as means so will be counted as such when your opf is calculated.

Are you being dismissed or made redundant? Redundancy payment would need to be declared to sw.

AnnaV

I haven't received final papers from HR, so yet the official status is up in the air. They obviously want just to put 'dismissed' but since the situation is not very straightforward (more of being bullied to walk away by new manager and I have documented examples for that) I am not sure what the final outcome in the papers is and if I receive any severance at the end of the day.