Vol. 448 No. 4
126 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will alter the guidelines under which rent allowances are being paid to allow changes of address cases where a rent reduction is being received; if the new accommodation is deemed to be over accommodation in view of the case of persons who found new accommodation at £300 per month but were refused help as it was deemed over accommodation although assistance towards rent of £360 had previously been given. [2326/95]
Under the supplementary allowance scheme, health boards may pay a weekly supplement towards the rent costs of persons whose means are insufficient to meet their needs. The supplement is calculated so as to leave the client with a disposable income, after payment of rent, which is equivalent to the rate of supplementary welfare allowance appropriate to his family size less £6.
In assessing the level of rent supplement payable, health boards are required to take into consideration the accommodation needs of the applicant, the prevailing level of rents in the area for the family size and the type of accommodation sought. This method of determining rent applies in all health board areas and limits may be set by reference to what is considered a reasonable level of rent for the particular area. The setting of any local limits is a matter for each health board. In setting such limits the board would always retain the right to make payments in excess of the limits where there are exceptional circumstances.
There is nothing in the guidelines issued by my Department which would prevent the payment of a supplement where a client changes address and decisions of health boards in respect of the new accommodation would be taken on the basis of the considerations already outlined.
In relation to any decision on entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance, the client has a right of appeal to the appeals officer of the health board. My Department has been in touch with the Eastern Health Board who have no knowledge of any case corresponding to that described in the Deputy's question. However, if the Deputy has a particular case in mind with which there are difficulties, I will be glad to ask the health board to have it examined.
