Rent Allowance-am I entitled?

Gerry Asstrix

I am back living at home with my parents after a long time, and am currently receiving Jobseekers Allowance of 150 per week Approx, I pay my mother rent, I pay my ex maintinence of 40 per week and after essentials for my child and other outgoings such as the car Im left with very little.

I have joint custody of my son, who is a toddler, he does be in my care approx 11 days of the month although could be more sometimes, and Im finding it very difficult to look after him because my parents home were my mother, elderly father and brother also reside is only a small 2 bedroom house, and space is a big problem, with me, my brother and my son sleeping in the same room.
My parents help me best I can but are not thrilled with the arrangement and this can lead to tension.

I fear that if this goes on I may not be able to take my son the times Im suppose to have him so I have been thinking about rent allowance.

Ive been to the CWO in the HSE and even though I showed him my papers regarding custody, access and maintinence about my son he told me I need be on housing list and get points from them.
Well I applied housing list months ago and still waiting to hear anything.

Am I entitled to RA, and am I been fogged off by this relieving officer?

gustafo

You will need to be renting a place for at least 6 months before you will be entiltled to RA, you say you are paying your parents rent this will not make a difference you need to be renting outside of the famuily home.

Gerry Asstrix

gustafo wrote: »

You will need to be renting a place for at least 6 months before you will be entiltled to RA, you say you are paying your parents rent this will not make a difference you need to be renting outside of the famuily home.

Well Im told based on the fact I have custody of the child for half the month and that my current living situation at home may not be suitable for him, that I would be entitled to rent allowance to some degree.

analbeads

you either need to be seen as homeless which your not or you need to apply once youve being assesed for local authority housing.

i was getting rent allowance as a single mother last year (not anymore) and i had to be assesed for a council house 1st before i was given rent allowance so it not your welfare officer isnt just fogging you off.

have you tried ringing up the local authority to tell them you need to be assesed quickly?

cee_jay

Have you gone back to the CWO since applying for the housing list?
Can you get a letter from them to say you have applied? See if the CWO can assist you in the meantime.