Rent supplement queries

Hi

I handed back a local authority house 2 years ago and have lived in private rented accomodation since at two different addresses. I now find myself in a situation where I will not be able to afford to pay the rent.
Does anybody know if the fact that I handed the house back will disqualify me from receiving the supplement?
Also, If I am working 3 days per week and claiming FIS - do people in this situation on a low wage usually receive the supplement? I know you cannot receive it if you are in full time employment but have found no mention of part time.
I am a single parent, not sure if that is relevant.
Any help with this appreciated.

You are disqualified from Rent Supplement if you hand back Local Authority Accommodation without good cause, or if you refuse 2 offers of Local Authority accommodation within a 12 month period.

You will have to discuss your personal situation with your local CWO.

Persons working part time (less than 30 hrs pw) can apply for Rent Supplement.

You can find more information on Rent Supplement here:

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/SupplementaryWelfareAllowance/Pages/RentSupplement.aspx

Thanks for your reply gipimann.
Do you know are there ever exceptions made to this disqualification? Can they make a decision based on circumstances or is it always strictly by the book?

The guidelines say refusal if you leave LA accommodation without good cause, but it's not specified what constitutes a good cause, so there may be some "wriggle room". There may be a local policy in place (to make sure everyone in the area is treated equally), so the person who can best advise you is the CWO.

Hi. Im new to this. Cant figure out how to start a new thread! Really hoping some1 can help me. My bf and I have been renting private accomodation in kildare for the last 7 months. We'r moving to a new house in Laois wednesday. He's just been informed he'l be let go from work next wk. I know you have to be renting for 6 months to get rent allowence. My quetsion is will we get rent allowence in Laois seen as we'v been renting in kildare for the past 7 months or must we be rent for another 6 months in laois to get it? Cant find the answer to this anywhere. All feedback welcome. Thanks so much

No, it doesn't have to be the same accommodation - as long as you can prove you've been renting privately for 6 of the last 12 months, that will be acceptable. It may be useful if you can show that you had planned the move before the news of the unemployment came through.

You don't state whether you're working or not - if you're working full-time, then your partner won't qualify for Rent Supplement regardless of your income.

If you're working part-time (under 30 hrs per week), then your income will be assessed (as well as any SW payment you or your partner has) to decide entitlement to Rent Supplement. There is also a maximum rent limit which applies.

Thanks for the reply gipmann. We have a one year old child so im a stay at home mother. My partner is an apprentice electrician but he will be let go in the next few wks. And yes we had our move planned before he recieved the news. One more question- Would we both have to renting privately for 6 months? My patner was the only name on the lease so will i qualify for rent supplement also?

You can claim Rent Supplement as a family unit, so your partner is the only one who needs to apply. There should be no difficulty with the 6 month rule in this case.