WILL HOUSING PAYMENT GIVE US RENT SECURITY?

Q

I am a single parent with a young daughter and I can’t afford to pay the rent asked for by the landlord. This keeps happening and we have to move when there is a rent increase, causing great disruption. I see the housing assistance payment is now available in Dublin. Is this the solution?

A

This week, the housing assistance payment was indeed extended to the whole Dublin area – previously it was available only to homeless families there.

Eligible households can avail of this housing support, with €153m being made available for the scheme in 2017.

The payment supports people like yourself who have a long-term housing need. It provides a more integrated system than previously available by making a long-term deal with landlords.

Under the scheme, local authorities make rent payments on behalf of the recipient directly to the landlord – subject to rent limits and certain conditions. The rent contribution is set by the local authority, based on income and the ability to pay.

The assistance payment aims to permit all social housing supports to be accessed through the local authority and allows you to take up full-time employment and still keep your housing support.

Q

I’ve just received two penalty points for speeding and now have four. How will this affect my car insurance? And will the insurer know automatically that I have received them?

A

Motorists with penalty points don’t get discounts for being points-free and will get fewer quotes from insurers.

Four points is generally seen as the acceptable limit for points – but don’t bank on it.

And if you go higher, you will definitely be penalised or even refused a quote with many insurers.

Any penalty points must be disclosed to the insurer when you take out a policy or they might refuse to pay out on a claim.

Q

A

I have savings I don’t want to touch for a few years. What’s the best rate I can get for this money? An Post savings certs pay 0.98% a year if you keep your money on deposit for five years – compared to 0.6% on demand.

Is locking your money away for so long worth the extra 0.4%? That’s up to you.

An Post does have some advantages though. The main one is that interest is exempt from Deposit Interest Retention Tax, although this won’t be an issue if you are exempt from Dirt, as many older people are.

But if you are liable, it effectively almost doubles the rate of return.

You can also redeem your savings cert early. This would mean not earning the full amount of interest but at least you can do this and still get something – whereas with many long-term bank deposits you do not have access to your funds.

Q

My elderly mother has mobility issues. What reliefs are available if I bought a new car to help her get around?

A

There are many reliefs available for disabled-friendly transport. They include grants for fuel, exemptions from tolls and rebates of VRT and Vat on the purchase or adaptation of a vehicle for transporting a disabled person.

However, your mother first must be certified as ‘permanently and severely disabled’.

You would also have to be a permanent residential carer, not a part-time visiting carer.

The rules are explained on the HSE website – hse.ie – or your local HSE office, to which you can make an application.