Hi galwaygirl,
Regarding applying for Rent Supplement, there was a change in the rules announced in the April budget which was implemented from last week (27 July).
Anyone applying for Rent Supplement for the first time must
- have been renting for 6 months (183 days) in the previous 12 months or
- have been in homeless accommodation for 6 months or
- have been a combination of the 2 for 6 months - e.g. homeless for 3 months then
renting for 3 months or
- have had a full housing assessment carried out by the local authority within the past 12 months, have been assessed as having a housing need and placed on the housing list.
If none of the above criteria are met, then the CWO will refer any new applicant for Rent Supplement to the Local Authority where a full housing need assessment must be carried out. Rent Supplement will only be payable if and when the Local Authority deems the person eligible for housing.