Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
324. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons returning to work after Covid-19 have a period during which secondary benefits are retained and in particular, the length of time rent supplement can be retained. [30293/20]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting 18,984 active recipients.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Where entitlement of rent supplement is lost, a person will continue to receive rent supplement for a period of up to 30 days or until they receive their first wage / salary payment reflecting their new employment conditions, whichever is the earlier.
Notwithstanding the timing of the customer's restored income, the general rule for secondary benefits is that they cease once the customer has secured full-time employment. It is possible, depending on the customer's circumstances and level of earnings, that a portion of their rent supplement may be retained. If the Deputy wishes to provide the particulars of any case they have in mind, a tailored response can be provided for the customer in question.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
