Question
I get Rent Supplement for my wife and myself and I hear that it is to be reduced. Can you tell me by how much?
Answer
From 1 January 2012 couples must now pay a minimum of €35 per week towards their rent. The new minimum contribution by single tenants is now €30 (an increase of €6 per week).
A couple over 65 with an income equal to or less than the State Pension (Contributory) for their situation will contribute €35 towards their rent. A couple who both have State Pensions (Contributory) and no other income will also contribute €35 towards their rent.
Rent limits were reduced on 1 January 2012 for new claimants. The new limits will apply to existing claimants when their claims are reviewed or if they move to new accommodation.
The maximum amount of Rent Supplement varies according to the area in which you live. You can find out the limits for your area from the Department of Social Protection representative in your local health centre, from your local Citizens Information Centre or on citizensinformation.ie.
Note that income from working as a home help for the HSE (Health Service Executive) will now be taken into account in the means test for Rent Supplement.
Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.
Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.
Ceist
Faighim Forlíonadh Cíosa do mo bhean chéile agus dom féin agus chuala mé go bhfuil sé seo le laghdú. An féidir leat mé a chur ar an eolas faoin méid a laghdófar é seo?
Freagra
Ón 1 Eanáir 2012, ní mór do lanúnacha anois €35 sa tseachtain ar a laghad a íoc i dtreo a gcíosa. Is í an íos-ranníocaíocht nua ag tionóntaí aonair €30 (méadú €6 sa tseachtain).
Ranníocfaidh lanúineacha níos sine ná 65 bliain d’aois ag a bhfuil ioncam cothrom le nó faoin bPinsean Stáit (Ranníocach) dá gcás féin, €35 i dtreo a gcíosa. Ranníocfaidh lanúineacha a bhfuil Pinsin Stáit (Ranníocach) acu beirt agus ioncam ar bith eile €35 freisin i dtreo a gcíosa.
Rinneadh teorainneacha cíosa a laghdú ón 1 Eanáir 2012 d’éilitheoirí nua. Baineann na teorainneacha nua le héilitheoirí reatha nuair a dhéantar athbhreithniú ar a n-éilimh nó má bhogann siad chuig cóiríocht nua.
Athraíonn an t-uasmhéid den Fhorlíonadh Cíosa de réir an cheantair ina gcónaíonn tú. Is féidir leat eolas a fháil faoi na teorainneacha do do cheantar ón ionadaí den Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí i d’ionad sláinte áitiúil, ó d’Ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh nó ag citizensinformation.ie.
Tabhair faoi deara go gcuirfear san áireamh anois ioncam ó oibriú mar chúntóir baile don FSS (Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte) sa tástáil mhaoine don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa.