Am I entitled to Rent Supplement/Rent Allowance whilst claiming Illness Benefit?

GameOfMahomes

Just read this on the welfare.ie website:

"3. Can I get help with my rent while I am receiving Illness Benefit?

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme you may be entitled to some assistance with rent payments. Contact the Department's representative at the local Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection office administering SWA)"

Firstly - what is the local Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection office administering SWA?) - I live in Dublin City Centre so is that my local INTREO/Social Welfare office?

Secondly - long story short - was working - 6 month contract was up in April - went on Jobseekers - anyways, have a long history of gastrointestinal/kidney/liver problems - drinking too much, not eating at all or eating the wrong stuff, just generally run down etc) -was hospitalized for over 2 months during the summer - got subsequently switched to illness benefit as I am not fit for work at the moment (I reckon 6-8 weeks timeframe to return)

Anyways, back in family home but it's bad for my health -I need to get my own place but 198 a week I.B payment won't cover it.

Both my folks work for drinks company's - theres always booze or partying in the family home with close family as well as cousins/neighbours etc and I cannot continue living here.

My G.P will vouch for this giving me a letter stating I need to move out for the sake of my health. I can also get my hospital consultant and his team to vouch for this with letters stating I am liable to relapse in the family environment if I don't get away (I am a weekly out-patient in the Mater)

I'm working since I'm 15 (now 31) so always paid taxes and rarely been on any benefits, but I need to get my own space.

Any help appreciated

Gatling

You might get HAP assistance but you will absolutely stuggle to find anything you could afford to rent in Dublin as a single person ,
Have you applied for the housing list at all

GameOfMahomes

Gatling wrote: »

You might get HAP assistance but you will absolutely stuggle to find anything you could afford to rent in Dublin as a single person ,
Have you applied for the housing list at all

I've found a share which I'm moving into Thursday which is 750 quid, so that leaves me 50 quid a month to survive on until I resume work

wifey28

rent allowance has been done away with, youll only get it now if you lose your job and are in a rental property to help you maintain the rent but its a very temporary measure.

It has been replaced mostly with the HAP payment. But to get this you must be on the housing list, and your landlord must be registered, must be willing to accept hap and must be within the limits for a single person which is prob in around 800 a month (you can check if you google it)
You can apply for the housing limit with your local council office but it may take up to12 weeks tobe accepted onto the list before you can apply fir hap, which onyl pays rent in arrears, so you need to pay depostit and at least the first months rent up first.