Can i get rent allowance off a renter if I'm getting jobseekers benefit?

Samiloula12

I'm currently on jobseekers benefit and paying the mortgage on a house my deceased mother bought. With just JS it's a struggle to pay the mortgage, bills and buy food so I've been trying to rent out the other bedroom in the house. Does anyone know if I can accept rent allowance off someone without it affecting my JS? Any help is appreciated

Hitman3000

Samiloula12 wrote:

I'm currently on jobseekers benefit and paying the mortgage on a house my deceased mother bought. With just JS it's a struggle to pay the mortgage, bills and buy food so I've been trying to rent out the other bedroom in the house. Does anyone know if I can accept rent allowance off someone without it affecting my JS? Any help is appreciated

Would the rent not be counted as income? Can't see how you would be able to accept any income without it affecting JS.

Lumen

Your JSA should already be reduced to take into account the capital value of your house (market value - outstanding mortgage).

Means test for Jobseeker's Allowance
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html#lde655

Rental income is normally counted as cash income, except "Income from property already assessed on its capital value".

Cash income not included in the means test
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/cash_income_not_included_in_the_social_welfare_means_test.html

Run the numbers and see how it works out.

Lux23

They seem to be on Jobseekers Benefit though, not allowance so they wouldn't be means-tested.

OP, I think you would just have to report the income to your local dole office and they may reduce your payment. If you're on Jobseekers Benefit though you may be OK until it runs out.

splinter65

Lumen wrote: »

Your JSA should already be reduced to take into account the capital value of your house (market value - outstanding mortgage).

Means test for Jobseeker's Allowance
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/means_test_for_jobseekers_allowance.html#lde655

Rental income is normally counted as cash income, except "Income from property already assessed on its capital value".

Cash income not included in the means test
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/irish_social_welfare_system/means_test_for_social_welfare_payments/cash_income_not_included_in_the_social_welfare_means_test.html

Run the numbers and see how it works out.

A claimants home is not taken account in the means test for JSA

Lumen

splinter65 wrote: »

A claimants home is not taken account in the means test for JSA

Ah, sorry, missed that bit.

"The house in which you live is not included in the assessment of your means unless you are getting an income from it. If you have rented a room in the house, that income is assessed but the capital value of your home is not."

Kristopherus

Hitman3000 wrote: »

Would the rent not be counted as income? Can't see how you would be able to accept any income without it affecting JS.

Rent-a-room scheme income is not liable to income tax iirc. So it may not be assessed by Welfare. But you never know with them.really.

Hitman3000

Kristopherus wrote:

Rent-a-room scheme income is not liable to income tax iirc. So it may not be assessed by Welfare. But you never know with them.really.

Rent a room is exempt up to 14k. However it should be assessed for a SW payment tbh.

splinter65

Kristopherus wrote: »

Rent-a-room scheme income is not liable to income tax iirc. So it may not be assessed by Welfare. But you never know with them.really.

No all you have to do is look it up on welfare website and you’ll see that it will be assessed .

pilly

It very much depends OP on whether or not you're means tested. Jobseekers Benefit is not as far as I know but that only lasts 10 months. After the 10 months you would be looking for Jobseekers Assistance and you can take it for granted then that any penny you have will be taken into account.