Having trouble with your housing benefits?
Did you know that as an asylum seeker you will only get your housing benefits if your contract of rent has been accepted by the Social Welfare Department? You’re not alone. Many people are disappointed to see that their monthly benefits don’t include a housing allowance. Here’s what you need to do be sure that you get yours.
Submit your complete contract of rent to Social Welfare! It must include:
- Full details of the landlord: name, ID/ARC number, address, telephone number
- Details of ALL tenants: names, ID/ARC numbers, telephone numbers
- Full address of the property rented
- The period of the contract
- Total rent amount per month
- Signature of the landlord
- Signatures of all tenants
Additionally, if the value of the rent in the contract rental period exceeds 5,000 Euros:
- Inland revenue stamps (they can be purchased from the Post Office)
- Signatures of two witnesses and their names, ID/ARC numbers and telephone numbers
You must also submit copies of the following documents to Social Welfare:
- Title deed (ownership document of the property)
- An electricity bill for the property
- Power of Attorney (if the owner appointed someone else to manage rental of the property)
- Owner’s IBAN (bank information for payment)
- Owner’s ID
- Declaration by the owner (see attached form)
- Owner’s tax certificate
Please feel free to share the link to this page with your landlord so they can provide you with everything you need to get them paid.
Social welfare will not pay your rent without all of this documentation.
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