Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
295. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person sells a permanent residence and is on jobseeker's allowance can continue to receive his or her payment while temporarily living in private rented accommodation and if that is time limited. [6401/14]
View answerTo qualify for jobseeker’s allowance a person must satisfy certain conditions, including a means test. The value of a customer’s principal private residence is not taken into account in the assessment of means. Where a person vacates their residence, either on a temporary basis or indefinitely due to old age or incapacity, the capital value of that property is exempt from the assessment of means for social assistance purposes (other than Supplementary Welfare Allowance). In addition, where a person moves out of the family home and the property is offered for sale, the capital value of that property is not assessed for a maximum period of two years from the date on which the property was vacated and remains vacant and unsold. When the property is sold, the capital value is assessable. Alternatively, after a period of two years for sale, the estimated capital value of the property becomes assessable. Where the customer moves from the property in order to make it available for renting purposes, the capital value is assessable immediately and the rental income is disregarded.
