Amongst the Welfare cuts in the 2012 budget – there was a cut to Rent Allowance – also known as Rent Supplement. Many households are seeing these cuts in their payments in January.
Rent Allowance is paid to help tenants on low incomes with rent payments – and the amount of Rent Supplement people get is calculated to ensure that their income after paying rent does not fall below a minimum level. In 2011 – this level was the basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate minus €24. Claimants had to pay at least €24 a week towards the rent (single or couple)
From January 2012 – this level was increased by €6 to €30 for single people – so single claimants will now have to contribute a minimum of €30 a week towards their rent.
The contribution amount for couples has risen by €11 a week from €24 to €35 a week
Update – Jan 2012 . The maximum rent levels that will be paid by Rent Allowance have now also been cut. See here for more details. Rent Allowance Cuts 2012