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Table of Contents PART 1 INTRODUCTION - 1.1 Purpose of Rent Supplement - 1.2 Administration - 1.3 Legislation - 1.4 Housing Assistance Payment ENTITLEMENT - 2.1 Qualifying Conditions within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Areas - 2.2 Other Qualifying Conditions - 2.3 Disqualifications MEANS ASSESSMENT - 3.1 Standard Assessment - 3.2 What Counts as Means - 3.3 What does Not Count as Means - 3.4 Income from Employment - 3.5 Income Disregards - Pensioner Disregard - Carer's Allowance Disregard - Half-rate Carer's Allowance Disregard - Additional Income Disregard - Rehabilitative Earnings Disregard - Assessment of Property & Savings Exemptions - 4.1 Rent Supplement for those returning to full-time employment - 4.2 Back to Education Programme - 4.3 Asylum Seekers - 4.4 Payments to people not retaining Rent Supplement when taking up employment Rent Limits - 5.1 Departmental Response to Homelessness & Preventative Policy PART 2: APPLICATION, ASSESSMENT AND DECISION PROCEDURES PART 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of Rent supplement The purpose of Rent Supplement is to provide short term income support to assist with reasonable accommodation costs of eligible people living in private rented accommodation who are unable to provide for their accommodation costs from their own resources and who do not have accommodation available to them from another source. In July 2013 the Government approved the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Under HAP, the responsibility for the provision of rent support to those with a long-term housing need will transfer from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) to local authorities. Further information on HAP is available at www.hap.ie The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (HMPA 2014), which was signed on 23rd July 2014, provides for a range of changes to the framework of social housing support, including the introduction of HAP, which will bring together all long-term social housing supports provided by the State under the local authority system. The Act has also made changes to the qualifying conditions for Rent Supplement. (See under entitlement below) 1.2 Administration Applications for Rent Supplement can be made to your local Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Office administering Supplementary Welfare Allowance. 1.3 Legislation - Chapter 9 of Part 3 and Chapter 3 of Part 10 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended) - Part 4 of Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005 Rules as to Calculation of Means, (as amended) - Social Welfare (Consolidated Supplementary Welfare Allowance) Regulations 2007 to 2014 - Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (HMPA 2014) Entitlement From 15 September 2014, separate qualifying conditions exist for applicants who reside within ‘HAP Designated Areas’. From 15 September 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment was introduced in Cork County Council, Limerick City and County Council and Waterford City and County Council. From 1 October 2014, the next phase of the Housing Assistance Payment is being introduced in South Dublin County Council, Kilkenny County Council, Monaghan County Council and Louth County Council. From 18 December 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to homeless households in Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council. From May 2015, the Housing Assistance Payment was introduced in Donegal County Council. From June 2015, the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to Offaly County Council, Carlow County Council, Cork City Council, Tipperary County Council and Clare County Council. From November 2015, the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to Kildare County Council, Meath County Council, Galway County Council, Mayo County Council and Sligo County Council. From February 2016, the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to Galway City Council From 1 December 2016, the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to Cavan County Council, Kerry County Council, Laois County Council, Leitrim County Council, Longford County Council, Roscommon County Council, Westmeath County Council, Wexford County Council and Wicklow County Council. From 1 March 2017 the Housing Assistance Payment was extended to Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire, Rathdown County Council and Fingal County Council, thus makingHAP available nationwide. 2.1 Qualifying Conditions following the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Designated Persons must be satisfied that, at the time of application, the claimant is a bona fide tenant and; - was previously in receipt of a Rent Supplement payment within 12 months of the date of application, or - was residing in private rented accommodation (where at the commencement of the tenancy the person could have reasonably afforded the rent and has experienced a substantial change in his or her circumstances where they are now unable to pay the rent) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for Rent Supplement, or - was residing for 183 days or more during the 12 months immediately before the application in an Institution or accommodation for homeless persons as provided under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. However, where such applicants have already been determined to be qualified for social housing support they should be referred to the local housing authority to have their housing needs addressed. There is no entitlement to Rent Supplement in respect of any applicant who does not satisfy the above conditions. Applicants who do not satisfy these conditions should be referred immediately to their local housing authority to have their housing needs addressed. The claimant’s eligibility for social housing support, including HAP, will be assessed by the local authority. 2.2 Qualifying Conditions outside Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) areas Rent Supplement is not payable while a housing needs assessment is being undertaken. Some limited exceptions may apply. 2.2 Other Qualifying Conditions In addition, the Department's representative must be satisfied that: - The accommodation is suited to the person's needs; - The amount of rent being paid is within limits prescribed set out in Section 5 - The amount of Rent Supplement payable does not exceed €55 per week for single people and €60 per week for couples, where accommodation is provided through the Capital Assistance Scheme 2.3 Disqualification A person is not entitled to a Rent Supplement if he or she: - fails to satisfy the qualifying conditions set out above - Is engaged in full time work, defined as more than 29 hours a week unless the applicant has been deemed as eligible for the Rental Accommodation Scheme by the local housing authority see Section 4.1. - has a spouse or partner who is engaged in full time employment - Is engaged in full time education see Section 4.2 for exceptions to this rule - Is involved in a trade dispute. However, the dependant spouse and dependant children of a person involved in trade dispute are not excluded from SWA for the period of the strike - is living in accommodation provided by a local authority - is living in accommodation provided by the Health Service Executive - is living in accommodation provided by a body or organisation which provides services on behalf of, or similar to, or ancillary to the Health Service Executive, where that body uses residential care staff in providing such services and also receives a subvention payment from the Minister for Health in respect of that person - is living in accommodation provided by a voluntary housing body where that body receives a subsidy under the rental subsidy scheme - is receiving a rent allowance from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection due to being a tenant in decontrolled rented accommodation - is admitted to an institution for a period of in excess of 13 weeks - is excluded from the local authority housing list - has vacated local authority accommodation without satisfying the Department's representative there was good cause for doing so - has within any continuous 12 month period refused a second offer of accommodation, provided by either a housing authority (includingincluding accommodation offered under the new Rental Accommodation Scheme) or any body approved for the purposes of Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992 (No. 18 of 1992) i.e. the Capital Assistance Housing scheme - is not lawfully in the State - has made an application for asylum under the Refugee Act, 1996 and such application is awaiting final decision by the Minister for Justice and Equality - has made an application under the Aliens Act, 1935 to remain in the State and such application has not been determined The Department's representative may also decide that a Rent Supplement may not be payable where it has been notified by a housing authority regarding the non compliance with standards prescribed in regulations made under Section 18 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 1992. Rent Supplement may be terminated where the landlord fails to supply the Department with a Tax Reference Number or fails to provide the Department with a reason why s/he has no Tax Reference Number. Rent Supplement is not normally paid where the rent payable to the landlord is in excess of the limits set out in Section 5 below. MEANS ASSESSMENT 3.1 Standard Assessment Rent Supplement is normally calculated to ensure that a person, after the payment of rent, has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to their family circumstances less a minimum contribution which recipients are required to pay from their own resources. In general, the standard weekly minimum contribution is €30 for a single adult household and €40 for coupled households. Circular 2016 (062-16) provides that the minimum contribution payable under the Rent Supplement scheme for Jobseeker’s Allowance/Back to Education/Supplementary Welfare Allowance recipients on age-related reduced rates of payment who are living independently, will be reduced from €30 to either €20 or €10, effective from 2ndJanuary, 2017. Similarly, the minimum contribution in the case of couples in this category will reduce from €40 to either €20 or €30. Many recipients pay more than this ammount because recipients are also required, subject to income disregards, to contribute any additional assessable means that they have over and above the appropriate basic SWA rate towards their accommodation costs. A further minimum contribution is also payable in respect of each non-dependent adult household member. It is custom and practice to reduce the Rent Supplement payable by at least €30 in respect of each non-dependent household member who is in receipt of a Social Welfare payment or income from employment. 3.2 What Counts as Means - Any income from employment, self employment or a training and educational scheme such as Community Employment (CE), Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) and Back to Work Allowance (BTW) - Family Income Supplement - The capital value of investments, savings & value of property other than the claimant's own home. - All income and the value of all property of which the claimant deprived himself/herself in order to qualify for SWA. - Income in cash e.g. maintenance payments. 3.3 What does not Count as Means The following items are not counted in the means test for Rent Supplement: - Child benefit, including equivalent payments from other EU countries - Mobility Allowance - Guardian's Payment Contributory or Non Contributory - Payments received from the Health Service Executive for foster children. - Payments for accommodating children under the Child Care Act. - Income from Gaeltacht students - Domiciliary Care Allowance - Grants or allowances arising in pursuance of a scheme promoting the welfare of blind people. - Money received from charitable organisations e.g. St. Vincent de Paul - Compensation awarded by the Compensation Tribunal in respect of Hepatitis C contracted from certain blood products; compensation awarded to those who have disabilities caused by Thalidomide and to those receiving compensation under the Residential Institutions Redress Board. - Maintenance grants paid by Local Authorities for Higher Education. - Respite Care Grant 3.4 Income from Employment Subject to certain conditions, a claimant may work up to 30 hours per week in insurable employment and still qualify for rent supplement. A claimant may also work more than 30 hours per week, if accepted as in need of accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, and subject to other scheme conditions may retain entitlement to Rent Supplement. Gross income less PRSI and reasonable travel expenses is taken into account for the means test. Other necessary expenses may be allowed in the case of self employment. 3.5 Income Disregards The following are the principal income disregards which apply in the calculation of means for rent supplement purposes: Pensioners Disregard A special income disregard exists for those aged 65 years or over. Any additional income equal to the difference between the maximum rate of State (Contributory) Pension and the Supplementary Welfare Allowance appropriate to his or her circumstances can be disregarded. In effect, any single person aged 65 or over with income equivalent to the value of the maximum rate of State Pension (Contributory) should only make the minimum contribution of €30 per week. A pensioner couple who both have a State (Contributory) Pension payable at the maximum rate and have no other income, should contribute €40 per week towards their rent. Carer's Allowance Disregard The rules governing the means test for Rent Supplement provide for a disregard of income derived from Carer's Allowance. In the case of a couple, where either spouse is a recipient of Carer's Allowance, the amount to be disregarded is: the rate of Carer's Allowance in payment less the SWA adult dependant rate. In the case of a single person or a Lone Parent in receipt of Carer's Allowance, the amount disregarded is: the rate of Carer's Allowance in payment less the personal rate of SWA Half-Rate Carer's Allowance Disregard From 27th September 2007, all income received in respect of half rate Carer's Allowance made under Section 24 of the SW & Pensions Act 2007 is disregarded in full in the Rent Supplement assessment. Additional Income Disregard The "additional income disregard" refers to the amount of additional income from certain sources, over and above the appropriate SWA rate, that can be disregarded in the means test for Rent Supplement purposes. The 'additional income disregard' was introduced with effect from 6th June 2007 as follows: - Disregard the first €75 of "additional income" - Disregard 25% of "additional income" over €75 - There is no upper limit on the amount that can be disregarded "Additional income" is the amount of income in excess of the SWA rate, applicable to household circumstances and includes income derived from: - Part time employment or part time self employment (under 30 hours per week) - Full time employment or full time self employment (30 hours or over per week) where the claimant is accepted as in need of accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme. - Any employment or approved training scheme e.g. CE, BTWA, BTWEA or FAS course - Family Income Supplement. - Maintenance Payments in excess of €95.23 The first €95.23 per week of maintenance payments is assessable in full for the purpose of the Rent Supplement Scheme. The amount of maintenance over €95.23 per week that can be disregarded is €75 per week with 25% of any maintenance in excess of €170.23 (€95.23 + €75) also disregarded. For persons participating in approved training courses, any lunch or travel allowances that are paid may also be disregarded. Certain training courses now provide a childcare allowance to participants on certain courses. These childcare allowances are treated in the same manner as a lunch or travel allowance and disregarded. Rehabilitative Earnings Disregard Up to €120 of earnings from rehabilitative employment can be disregarded. However, this disregard cannot be applied together with 'the additional income disregard'. Only one such disregard can be applied, whichever is most beneficial. Assessment of Property & Savings Capital (savings and investments) and the value of property owned but not personally used or enjoyed is assessed as means. Where capital or property is assessed on this basis, any income received from its use (e.g. interest on savings, dividends from shares, rent from property let) is not assessed as cash income. Instead, the following formula is used to establish weekly means: - Disregard first €5,000 of capital value of property/savings - Assess next €10,000 @ €1 per €1,000 - Assess next €25,000 @ €2 per €1,000 - Assess remaining capital over €40,000 @ €4 per €1,000. Exemptions 4.1 Rental Accommodation Scheme and Full Time Employment Rent Supplement is not payable where a person or their spouse/partner is in full-time employment i.e. 30 hours or more per week. However, existing claimants may retain their Rent Supplement provided they are deemed by a local authority to be eligible to participate in the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and satisfy the means test. The Rental Accommodation Scheme is administered by local housing authorities under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Its purpose is to provide accommodation from the private rented market or through other social housing measures to persons with a long term housing need. You should contact your local housing authority if you want to be considered as eligible for the scheme. Rent supplement may continue where an eligible person: - engages in remunerative full time employment and during the 12 month period immediately before his or her engagement in remunerative full time employment, the person was not regarded as being engaged in remunerative full time employment (30 hours rule), or - is participating in: (i) a scheme known as the Area Allowance Enterprise Scheme, approved by a company known as an Area Partnership, in consultation with the Minister, (ii) a scheme administered by an Foras Áiseanna Saothair and known as Community Employment, or (iii) a scheme administered by the Minister and known as the Back to Work Allowance Scheme, This new measure allows existing Rent Supplement tenants, who have been accepted as being in need of accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme and who have been out of full time employment for 12 months or more to return to full time employment and still be considered for Rent Supplement, subject to the other qualifying conditions of the scheme. 4.2 Back to Education Programme (BTEA) People in full time education are generally excluded from receipt of Rent Supplement. However, people participating in approved courses under the BTEA scheme may retain any Rent Supplement which may have been in payment prior to the commencement of their education course. It is also open to them to apply for Rent Supplement if they have not been previously getting a supplement – subject to satisfying all other qualifying conditions of the scheme. BTEA is payable to people participating in approved second or third level courses. Income from BTEA is fully assessable under the means test and is not eligible for the “additional income disregard”. However, recipients of the Back to Education Allowance who have income from another source (e.g. part-time employment) may qualify for the “additional income disregard” i.e. the first €75 of additional income in excess of the SWA rate is disregarded with 25% of additional income over €75, with no upper limit, also disregarded. 4.3 Asylum Seekers In general, asylum seekers are not allowed to work while their claim for asylum is being processed, however, asylum seekers who arrived in the State on or before 26 July 1999 and who were awaiting a final determination on their claim for asylum for 12 months or more were granted permission to seek employment. Entitlement to Rent Supplement is assessed under the standard assessment where an asylum seeker in this category secures employment. 4.4 Payments to People not Retaining Rent Supplement when Taking up Employment A person who is not entitled to retain Rent Supplement on taking up employment through the methods outlined above may continue to receive payment of the relevant supplement for a period of up to 30 days after starting work or until such time as he or she first receives remuneration, whichever is the earlier. RENT LIMITS Rent Supplements are subject to a limit on the amount of rent that an applicant for Rent Supplement may incur. Rent Supplement is not normally paid where the rent payable to the landlord is in excess of the limits set out below. The Department's representative also has the authority to set levels below that provided for in regulations in respect of sub divisions of its functional areas. SI 412/07 provides that entitlement to rent supplement shall be just and proper having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence, and for this purpose, the maximum amount of rent in respect of which a supplement is payable is set out under Schedule 1 of SI 412/2007. The prescribed maximum rent limits do not apply to households which consist of family compositions or sizes which are not prescribed under Schedule 1 of SI 412/2007: for example, there is no prescribed rent limit in respect of a household consisting of a family with 4 or more children. When making decisions in respect of a non-prescribed household type, staff processing rent supplement applications must be independently satisfied that the rent payable by the claimant is just and proper having regard to the nature, character and location of the residence. In making this decision, reference should be made to the relevant prescribed rent limits for guidance. Under certain circumstances, the Department's representative can pay Rent Supplement where the rent is above the relevant limit; where there are special housing needs, where the applicant has additional income in excess of the SWA rate or on a short term basis until the tenant is in a position to re assume responsibility for his/her rent. 5.1 Departmental Response to Homelessness & Preventative Policy In view of the reduction of supply in the private rented market and increasing rents at this time, the Department has implemented a policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the limits for both existing customers and new applicants to the rent supplement scheme. The circumstances of tenants are considered on a case-by-case basis and rents are being increased above prescribed limits, as appropriate. In addition, the Department, in conjunction with Threshold, operates a special protocol in the areas where supply issues are particularly acute. Tenants in the following areas can access the Tenancy Protection Service provided by Threshold on 1800 454 454; Counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Cork city. View details of the current Maximum Rent levels here.
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- Cad is Forlíonadh Cíosa ann? - An ionann Forlíonadh Cíosa agus Liúntas Cíosa? - An féidir liom Forlíonadh Cíosa a fháil má tá íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh á fáil agam cheana féin? - Cad iad na coinníollacha cáilitheachta don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa? - Cé nach gcáilíonn don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa? - Cad is údarás tithíochta ann agus cad a dhéanann sé? - Conas a dhéanaim iarratas ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa? - Cad iad na doiciméid a bheidh uaim don iarratas? - Cad a tharlóidh ag an gcéad chruinniú nuair a chasaim ar an té a bheidh ag próiseáil m'iarratais? - An féidir liom Forlíonadh Cíosa a fháil más airde cíos na réadmhaoine ná na teorainneacha atá socraithe don cheantar? - Cén fáth a bhfuil m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa chomh híseal sin i gcomparáid le mo chíos, agus go n-íoctar an Forlíonadh Cíosa céanna i gcás gach maoine sa cheantar seo? Cén fáth a gcaithfidh mé cuid mhaith airgid a íoc mé féin de bhreis ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa? - Cathain agus cé chomh minic a íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa? - An féidir m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a íoc isteach i mo chuntas bainc? - Cad a chaithfidh an tiarna talún a dhéanamh ionas go n-íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom? - An féidir m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a íoc go díreach leis an tiarna talún? - An féidir m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a stopadh gan fógra a faighte agam? - Dúradh liom nach n-íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom níos mó. An féidir liom achomharc a dhéanamh chuig an PRTB? - An ngearrfar m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa má dhiúltaím tithíocht shóisialta? - Cad a tharlaíonn in athbhreithniú cíosa? - Foirmeacha le haghaidh Athbhreithniú ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa – cá mbíonn siad le fáil? - An ndéanfaidh an Roinn cigireacht ar m'áit chónaithe sula n-íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom? - Cad a tharlóidh má dhiúltaíonn an tiarna talún a Uimhir Thagartha Cánach/Uimhir PSP a thabhairt dom? - An íocfar m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa liom má théim amach as an tír ar saoire nó ar chúis éigin eile? Cad is Forlíonadh Cíosa ann? Íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa le daoine a chónaíonn i gcóiríocht phríobháideach ar cíos ach nach bhfuil dóthain acmhainní acu chun íoc as a gcóiríocht féin. An ionann Forlíonadh Cíosa agus Liúntas Cíosa? Is é Forlíonadh Cíosa ainm na scéime, ach Liúntas Cíosa a thugtar air de ghnáth. Ach tá scéim eile ann ar a dtugtar Liúntas Cíosa do thionóntaí a chónaíonn i dtithe nó in árasáin áirithe a ndearna dírialú cíosanna an 26 Iúil 1982 difear dóibh An féidir liom Forlíonadh Cíosa a fháil má tá íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh á fáil agam cheana féin? Is féidir. Íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa leat chun cabhrú leat íoc as do chostais tithíochta fad a bhíonn tú ag fáil íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh. Ach ní cháileoidh tú don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa as an íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh amháin; beidh ort coinníollacha eile a shásamh. Cad iad na coinníollacha cáilitheachta don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa? Is féidir go gcáileoidh tú d’Fhorlíonadh Cíosa má bhí cónaí ort ar feadh 6 mhí (183 lá) as an 12 mhí dheireanacha i gceann, nó níos mó, díobh seo a leanas: - Ní mór duit bheith in ann a thaispeáint go raibh tú in ann an cíos a íoc ag tús na tionóntachta agus go bhféadfá leanúint ar aghaidh ag íoc cíosa ach gur tharla cor i do shaol tar éis duit tosú ar chíos a íoc. - Cóiríocht do dhaoine gan dídean - Institiúid, mar shampla ospidéal, teach cúraim nó áit choinneála. Nó - A bheith measúnaithe ag údarás áitiúil mar dhuine a cháiligh do thithíocht shóisialta agus a bhí ina gátar sna 12 mhí dheireanacha. (féach Ceist 6) Le cois na riachtanas sin, ní mór don oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh a bheith sásta: - go n-oireann an chóiríocht duit. - go bhfuil gnáthchónaí ort sa Stát. - go bhfuil an méid cíosa a íocann tú faoi bhun na huasteorann cíosa don cheantar agus don líon daoine atá sa teaghlach agat. - Má chuirtear cóiríocht ar fáil duit tríd an Scéim Cúnaimh Caipitil, is é €55 sa tseachtain do dhaoine singil agus €60 sa tseachtain do lánúin an Forlíonadh Cíosa is mó a íoctar. Cé nach gcáilíonn don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa? Ní cháileoidh tú don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa más amhlaidh: - go bhfuil post lánaimseartha agat (de bhreis ar 29 uair an chloig sa tseachtain) ach amháin má chinn an t-údarás áitiúil tithíochta go gcáilíonn tú don Scéim Cóiríochta ar Cíos. (féach Ceist 6) - go bhfuil post lánaimseartha ag do chéile nó do pháirtnéir. - go bhfuil tú ag fáil oideachais go lánaimseartha (tá roinnt eisceachtaí ann). - go bhfuil tú páirteach in agóid thionsclaíoch. Ach is féidir le céile cleithiúnach agus do leanaí cleithiúnacha cáiliú don Liúntas Leasa Shóisialaigh do thréimhse na stailce. - go bhfuil tú i do chónaí i gcóiríocht a chuir an t-údarás áitiúil ar fáil duit - go bhfuil tú i do chónaí i gcóiríocht a chuir Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte ar fáil duit - go bhfuil tú i do chónaí i gcóiríocht a fuair tú ó chomhlacht nó ó eagraíocht a chuireann seirbhísí ar fáil thar ceann FSS, nó seirbhísí atá díreach cosúil le seirbhísí FSS, nó seirbhísí atá coimhdeach le seirbhísí FSS, i gcás ina n-úsáideann an comhlacht nó an eagraíocht sin foireann cúram cónaithe chun na seirbhísí sin a chur ar fáil agus go bhfaigheann siad íocaíocht fhóirdheontais ón Aire Sláinte maidir leatsa. - go bhfuil cónaí ort i gcóiríocht a chuir comhlacht deonach tithíochta ar fáil duit i gcás ina bhfaigheann an comhlacht sin fóirdheontas faoin scéim um fhóirdheontas cíosa. - go bhfuil tú ag fáil liúntas cíosa ón Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí de bhrí gur tionónta thú i gcóiríocht ar cíos i gcás inar cíos dírialaithe é. - go dtéann tú isteach in institiúid go ceann tréimhse is faide ná 13 seachtaine. - gur baineadh d'ainm de liosta tithíochta an údaráis áitiúil. - gur fhág tú cóiríocht údaráis áitiúil gan an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh a bheith sásta go raibh údar maith leis. - go ndiúltaíonn tú do dhá thairiscint de thithíocht shóisialta ó údarás áitiúil laistigh de 12 mhí. - nach bhfuil cónaí dlíthiúil ort sa Stát. - go bhfuil iarratas déanta agat ar thearmann faoi Acht na nDídeanaithe, 1996, agus go bhfuil tú ag feitheamh ar chinneadh deiridh ón Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais. - go bhfuil iarratas déanta agat faoi Acht na nEachtrannach 1935 chun fanacht sa Stát ach nár cinneadh d'iarratas fós. - nach gcuireann do thiarna talún a uimhir thagartha cánach ar fáil duit, nó cúis bhailí nach bhfuil uimhir thagartha cánach aige nó aici. - Ina theannta sin, is féidir go gcinnfeadh an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le do chás nach féidir Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc más amhlaidh gur chinn an t-údarás tithíochta nach bhfuil an chóiríocht ag cloí leis na bunchaighdeáin m.sh. nach bhfuil bail mhaith ar an struchtúr nó nach leor an soilsiú, an t-aerú, na seirbhísí uisce nó na seirbhísí sláintíochta. (Tá na caighdeáin leagtha síos sna rialacháin a rinneadh faoi Alt 18 den Acht Tithíochta (Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha) 1992.) Cad is údarás tithíochta ann agus cad a dhéanann sé? Is ionann an t-údarás tithíochta agus an t-údarás áitiúil (comhairle contae nó cathrach) sa cheantar ina bhfuil cónaí ort. Mura ndearna measúnú riachtanas tithíochta maidir leat, ní mór duit dul chuig an údarás áitiúil agus iarraidh orthu do riachtanas tithíochta a mheasúnú. Ní mór dul chuig an údarás áitiúil sa cheantar ina bhfuil sé beartaithe agat dul chun cónaithe agus Forlíonadh Cíosa a éileamh. Ní féidir iarratas a dhéanamh ar Fhorlíonadh Cíosa go dtí go gcruthófar go gcáilíonn tú do thithíocht agus go bhfuil tú ina gátar. Ní íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa fad a bhíonn do riachtanais tithíochta á meas ag údarás áitiúil. Gheofar sonraí teagmhála na n-údarás áitiúil uile ar shuíomh Gréasáin na Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil.. Conas a dhéanaim iarratas ar Fhorlíonadh Cíosa? Chun iarratas a dhéanamh ar Fhorlíonadh Cíosa ní mór duit labhairt le hionadaí na Roinne Coimirce Sóisialaí (an tOifigeach Leasa Pobail, mar a bhí) i d' ionad áitiúil sláinte. Ní mór duit foirmeacha SWA1 agus SWA3 a líonadh isteach. Beidh ar an tiarna talún cuid d'fhoirm SWA3 a líonadh isteach. I gceantair áirithe déanann Aonad Cíosanna lárnach na hiarratais nua ar Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a phróiseáil. Gheobhaidh tú amach anseo cibé an bhfuil Aonad Cíosanna lárnach ann do do cheantar. Má chónaíonn tú i gceann de na ceantair sin, gheobhaidh tú paca cíosa ón ionad áitiúil sláinte. Sa phaca gheobhaidh tú na mionsonraí (agus liosta de na doiciméid a bheith ag teastáil uait) agus gach foirm iarratais riachtanach. Ba chóir duit an t-eolas sa phaca a léamh go cúramach. Má tá tú sásta go bhfuil na doiciméid riachtanacha uile agat, cuir d'iarratas ar aghaidh chuig an Aonad Cíosanna ceart. Mura bhfuil gach eolas a iarrtar sa phaca istigh leis an iarratas, d'fhéadfaí moill a chur air. Beidh an tAonad i dteagmháil leat má bhíonn tuilleadh eolais uathu. Cad iad na doiciméid a bheidh uaim don iarratas? De ghnáth ní mór fianaise ar na rudaí seo a leanas a bheith agat: - cé thú féin, m.sh. teastas breithe, pas, ceadúnas tiomána nó cárta ó Bhiúró Náisiúnta Inimirce an Gharda/ - Ioncam, coigilteas, infheistíochtaí agus maoin. - Léas/comhaontú tionóntachta/leabhar cíosa. Is féidir go mbeadh eolas agus doiciméid eile ag teastáil; déarfaidh an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh leat é má bhíonn Cad a tharlóidh ag an gcéad chruinniú nuair a chasaim ar an té a bheidh ag próiseáil m'iarratais? Is féidir go n-iarrfaidh an t-oifigeach a bheidh ag próiseáil d'iarratas ort casadh leis chun gur féidir leis nó léi an t-eolas atá agat a bhailiú agus a mheas. Ag an agallamh sin: - beidh cead agat do chás a mhíniú agus iarratas foirmiúil a dhéanamh - déanfar do riachtanais a mheas - freagrófar aon cheist atá agat - inseofar duit cad iad na seirbhísí agus na gníomhaireachtaí a d'fhéadfadh cabhrú leat - inseofar duit cad iad na rudaí a bhfuil teidlíocht agat orthu - inseofar duit cad iad na socruithe íocaíochta atá ann - inseofar duit go bhfuil ceart achomhairc agat agus conas a oibríonn an próiseas achomhairc - déarfar leat go bhfuil oibleagáid ort aon athrú ar do chúinsí a chur in iúl don oifigeach. An féidir liom Forlíonadh Cíosa a fháil más airde cíos na réadmhaoine ná na teorainneacha atá socraithe don cheantar? Ní gnách Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc má bhíonn an cíos níos airde ná an teorainn cíosa i do cheantar agus an cíos a cheadaítear do mhéid do theaghlaigh. Cén fáth a bhfuil m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa chomh híseal sin i gcomparáid le mo chíos, agus go n-íoctar an Forlíonadh Cíosa céanna i gcás gach maoine sa cheantar seo? Cén fáth a gcaithfidh mé cuid mhaith airgid a íoc mé féin de bhreis ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa? Ní mór do gach duine a fhaigheann Forlíonadh Cíosa méid áirithe a íoc i leith an chíosa. Is é €30 an íocaíocht is lú i láthair na huaire do dhaoine singil (le leanbh nó gan leanbh) agus €40 do lánúin (le leanbh nó gan leanbh). Is féidir go mbeadh ort níos mó ná sin a íoc más mó d'ioncam ná an ráta a cheadaítear faoin Liúntas Leasa Forlíontach do mhéid do theaghlaigh. Is féidir go mbeadh air baill eile den teaghlach a bhfuil ioncam dá gcuid féin acu méid áirithe a íoc i leith an chíosa. Cathain agus cé chomh minic a íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa? An t-oifigeach a bheidh ag déileáil le d'éileamh, inseoidh sé/sí duit conas a íocfar tú, agus cá háit agus cén lá. Ní mór do gach duine a fhaigheann Forlíonadh Cíosa méid áirithe a íoc i leith an chíosa. Is é €30 an íocaíocht is lú i láthair na huaire do dhaoine singil (le leanbh nó gan leanbh) agus €40 do lánúin (le leanbh nó gan leanbh). Is féidir go mbeadh ort níos mó ná sin a íoc más mó d'ioncam ná an ráta a cheadaítear faoin Liúntas Leasa Forlíontach do mhéid do theaghlaigh. Is féidir go mbeadh air baill eile den teaghlach a bhfuil ioncam dá gcuid féin acu méid áirithe a íoc i leith an chíosa. An féidir m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a íoc isteach i mo chuntas bainc? Is féidir má iarrann tú é sin agus má cheadaíonn an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh é. Cad a chaithfidh an tiarna talún a dhéanamh ionas go n-íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom? Faoin scéim Forlíonadh Cíosa ní bhíonn aon ghaol díreach idir an Roinn agus an tiarna talún. Ní mór duitse (an tionónta) an t-iarratas ar Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a dhéanamh agus próiseálfaidh an Roinn an t-iarratas. Ní mór don tiarna talún cuid den fhoirm iarratais a líonadh isteach agus a Uimhir PSP nó Tagartha Cánach a thabhairt. Is féidir go roghnódh do thiarna talún a UPSP nó Uimhir Thagartha Cánach a chur ar fáil mar mhír ar leith don Roinn, trí fhoirm SWA 3C a líonadh isteach. De ghnáth ní íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa go dtí go mbíonn Uimhir PSP nó Tagartha Cánach an tiarna talún faighte ag an Roinn. An féidir Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc go díreach leis an tiarna talún? De ghnáth is leatsa, an tionónta, a íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa. Ach má iarrann tú é sin agus má cheadaíonn an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh é, is féidir Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc go díreach leis an tiarna talún. Fiú má íoctar d'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa go díreach leis an tiarna talún, beidh ort ar a laghad €30 do dhaoine singil) nó €40 (do lánúineacha) a íoc sa tseachtain leis an tiarna talún. An féidir m'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a stopadh gan fógra a faighte agam? De ghnáth tabharfar fógra duit má táthar chun d'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a stopadh. Ach má fhaigheann an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'iarratas amach gur athraigh do chúinsí ach nár chuir tú é sin in iúl dó nó di, is féidir d'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a chur ar fionraí. Ba chóir duit aon athrú ar do chúinsí a chur in iúl láithreach don oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh. Níor cheart duit fanacht go dtí an t-athbhreithniú chun athrú ar chúinsí a chur in iúl de bhrí go bhféadfaí ró-íocaíocht a dhéanamh leat idir an dá linn, ró-íocaíocht a bheidh ort a aisíoc. Dúradh liom nach n-íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom níos mó. An féidir liom achomharc a dhéanamh chuig an PRTB? Ní féidir. Níl aon bhaint ag an PRTB le cinntí faoin bhForlíonadh Cíosa. Tá cúram ar an PRTB agóidí idir tiarnaí talún agus tionóntaí a réiteach agus córas náisiúnta um chlárú tionóntaí a oibriú. Gheofar tuilleadh eolais ar an PRTB anseo. Mura bhfuil tú sásta le cinneadh i dtaobh d'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa, ba chóir duit fáth an chinnidh a fháil amach ar an gcéad dul síos ón oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh. Ba chóir duit doiciméid bhreise a chur ar fáil le do chás a mhíniú. Mura ndéantar an cinneadh a athrú, is féidir é a achomharc chuig an Oifig Achomhairc Leasa Shóisialaigh, Sráid D'Olier, Baile Átha Cliath 2. Cuir an oiread sonraí agus is féidir leat ar fáil san achomharc. Gheofar tuilleadh eolais ar an Oifig Achomhairc Leasa Shóisialaigh anseo. . An scoirfear den Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a íoc liom má dhiúltaím tithíocht shóisialta? Má dhiúltaíonn tú dhá thairiscint de thithíocht shóisialta ó d'údarás áitiúil laistigh de 12 mhí, scoirfear den Fhorlíonadh Cíosa a íoca leat agus ní bheidh cead é a éileamh arís go ceann 12 mhí. Cad a tharlaíonn in athbhreithniú cíosa? Déantar do theidlíocht ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa a athbhreithniú, gach sé mhí de ghnáth. Beidh ort Foirm le haghaidh Athbhreithniú ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa a líonadh isteach agus é a thabhairt don oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh. Scrúdóidh an t-oifigeach an fhoirm le cinntiú go bhfuil an méid ceart den Fhorlíonadh Cíosa á fháil agat. Ba chóir an fhoirm a chur ar ais chuig an oifigeach a luaithe is féidir ionas nach gcuirfear moill ar d'íocaíocht. Ba chóir duit aon athrú ar do chúinsí a chur in iúl láithreach don oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh. Níor cheart duit fanacht go dtí an t-athbhreithniú chun athrú ar chúinsí a chur in iúl de bhrí go bhféadfaí ró-íocaíocht a dhéanamh leat idir an dá linn, ró-íocaíocht a bheidh ort a aisíoc. Foirmeacha le haghaidh Athbhreithniú ar an bhForlíonadh Cíosa – cá mbíonn siad le fáil? Má tá athbhreithniú á dhéanamh ar d'Fhorlíonadh Cíosa de ghnáth tabharfaidh an t-oifigeach foirm duit a bheith le líonadh isteach agat féin agus ag an tiarna talún. Má chailleann tú an fhoirm is féidir leat ceann nua a fháil san oifig áitiúil a riarann an scéim Liúntas Leasa Shóisialaigh. Más Aonad Cíosanna Lárnach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh ba cheart duit teagmháil dhíreach a dhéanamh leo agus seolfaidh siad foirm nua amach chugat. An ndéanfaidh an Roinn cigireacht ar m'áit chónaithe sula n-íoctar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom? Is féidir go bhféachfadh oifigigh ar do chóiríocht sula ndéantar cinneadh cibé an íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa leat, leis an tionóntacht agus cineál na cóiríochta a dheimhniú. Ach ní gá i gcónaí cuairt a thabhairt de bhrí go bhféadfadh eolas a bheith ag an oifigeach ar an gcóiríocht cheana féin. Is faoin oifigeach tá sé a chinneadh cibé an gá cuairt a thabhairt ar an gcóiríocht. Cad a tharlóidh má dhiúltaíonn an tiarna talún a Uimhir Thagartha Cánach/Uimhir PSP a thabhairt dom? Ní mór don tiarna talún a Uimhir Thagartha Cánach/Uimhir PSP a thabhairt don Roinn sular féidir Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc leat. Mura dteastaíonn ón tiarna talún a Uimhir Thagartha Cánach/Uimhir PSP a chur ar fáil ar an bhfoirm iarratais, is féidir leis nó léi an fhoirm SWA 3C a líonadh isteach agus a chur ar ais go díreach chuig an oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh. An íocfar Forlíonadh Cíosa liom má théim amach as an tír ar saoire nó ar chúis éigin eile? Ní gnách Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc fad a bhíonn tú lasmuigh den tír/ Ba chóir duit labhairt leis an oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh má tá sé ar intinn agat an tír a fhágáil, fiú ar feadh tréimhse ghearr. Is féidir Forlíonadh Cíosa a íoc i gcásanna áirithe de bheith as an Stát ar feadh tréimhse ghearr, ar laethanta saoire etc. má cheadaíonn an t-oifigeach atá ag déileáil le d'éileamh é.