Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
329. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income from the working family payment can be included in calculating eligibility for housing assistance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50069/22]
View answer330. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if income received from the working family payment can be included in calculating eligibility for a family to be placed on a local authority housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50070/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011.
The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.
Under the Household Means Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. All income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, including Working Family Payment, is assessable.
More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/
