Rent allowance help

NeedinHelp

Hi, Im asking for some advice/help for my sister

She is in need of her own place
Shes a single mother, with a 4 month old girl
and shes getting benefits for that, but shes trying to move out soon
and was wondering how to go about getting rent allowance set up
and how much she would be entitled too & how much she would have to pay a week

also what requirements she would need to qualify
(ive read about needing to have rented for 6 months in the past year)

thanks in advance

aunt aggie

The 6 months rule means that anyone applying for rent allowance has to be able to prove they were able to afford rental accommodation, but a change in circumstances means they now require assistance. Do you think this would apply to your sister?

Rent allowance rates depends on the area you are living in but most rented accommodation tends to over the maximum rent allowed. Makes finding a place very difficult if you're relying on the rent allowance.

All the details are here, http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/supplementary_welfare_schemes/rent_supplement.html

NeedinHelp

aunt aggie wrote: »

The 6 months rule means that anyone applying for rent allowance has to be able to prove they were able to afford rental accommodation, but a change in circumstances means they now require assistance. Do you think this would apply to your sister?

Rent allowance rates depends on the area you are living in but most rented accommodation tends to over the maximum rent allowed. Makes finding a place very difficult if you're relying on the rent allowance.

All the details are here,

Thank you for the link

she was planning on moving out but then the baby came, would that be it?

and can she pay the rest of the rent with her own money if the allowance is below it?

Stheno

NeedinHelp wrote: »

Thank you for the link

she was planning on moving out but then the baby came, would that be it?

and can she pay the rest of the rent with her own money if the allowance is below it?

Where is she currently living?

You are not supposed to to up rent above the limit

Kristopherus

NeedinHelp wrote: »

Thank you for the link

she was planning on moving out but then the baby came, would that be it?

and can she pay the rest of the rent with her own money if the allowance is below it?

Is she/was she working? Is she getting Maternity Benefit or Lone Parent Allowance (or its equivalent)

NeedinHelp

shes currently living at home (A 4 bedroom house with 8 people)& she was working full time

@stheno Okay so she has to find a place below the rent allowance limit? (which is 850/950)

Stheno

NeedinHelp wrote: »

shes currently living at home (A 4 bedroom house with 8 people)& she was working full time

@stheno Okay so she has to find a place below the rent allowance limit? (which is 850/950)

Yes she has to find a place under the limiit

Is she being paid by her employer while on maternity leave or on benefit?

NeedinHelp

Stheno wrote: »

Yes she has to find a place under the limiit

Is she being paid by her employer while on maternity leave or on benefit?

benefit

aunt aggie

But she's not currently renting. I imagine she would find it difficult to cover rent on her own for 6 months. Even if she could do that she would need to show a change in circumstances (I think) to be eligible for rent allowance.

She can't go straight from living at home to receiving rent allowance.

Penny Tration

She needs to be assessed and put on the council housing list. Then she'll be eligible for rent allowance

NeedinHelp

aunt aggie wrote: »

But she's not currently renting. I imagine she would find it difficult to cover rent on her own for 6 months. Even if she could do that she would need to show a change in circumstances (I think) to be eligible for rent allowance.

She can't go straight from living at home to receiving rent allowance.

ohhh damn, thats what id figured
Ill talk with her about it
Thank you all soo much

NeedinHelp

Jenny Thalia wrote: »

She needs to be assessed and put on the council housing list. Then she'll be eligible for rent allowance

ohhh okay great!

aunt aggie

Jenny Thalia wrote: »

She needs to be assessed and put on the council housing list. Then she'll be eligible for rent allowance

Oh I always though the council housing and rent allowance were separate issues. Didn't realise this was possible, but if it's right then my last post probably doesn't apply to OPs sister.

Stheno

aunt aggie wrote: »

But she's not currently renting. I imagine she would find it difficult to cover rent on her own for 6 months. Even if she could do that she would need to show a change in circumstances (I think) to be eligible for rent allowance.

She can't go straight from living at home to receiving rent allowance.

Was just thinking the same but if she can show the house is overcrowded would that make a difference?

@ op is she planning on going back to work?

Stheno

NeedinHelp wrote: »

ohhh okay great!

Not so quick, the council have to decide she needs to go on the list

LegacyUser

Stheno wrote: »

Not so quick, the council have to decide she needs to go on the list

She does plan on going back to work, but not until the childs a bit older