Easier rent supplement access for domestic violence victims to be made permanent

Victims of domestic violence will be granted easier access to rent supplement on a permanent basis, the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed.

A protocol was established during the pandemic whereby means testing did not apply to domestic violence victims for a three-month period.

The Minister said on Thursday that the temporary measure will be made a permanent feature of the Rent Supplement Scheme.

After the initial three-month period, a further three-month extension may be provided, subject to the usual rent supplement means assessment, the Department of Social Protection said.

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“After six months, if the tenant has a long-term housing need, they can apply to their local housing authority for social housing supports and, if eligible, will be able to access the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a social housing support provided by Local Authorities.”

Ms Humphreys said while the measure was introduced during the pandemic, “I recognise that the underlying rationale for this support will be required after the impact of the pandemic has receded and long into the future”.

“As a result of the changes I am introducing today, victims of domestic violence will continue to benefit from the relaxation of the means-test normally required to qualify for rent supplement for an initial three months,” she said.

“After three months, the individual’s ongoing entitlement will be reviewed based on the normal means-test for the scheme.

“I introduced this measure on foot of an agreed protocol with Tusla to enable services funded by the agency to make referrals to my Department for access to rent supplement for victims of domestic violence through a dedicated channel.

“It is a valuable support for people who endure what can be a silent and terrifying experience.”

Between August 2020, when the measure was first introduced, and September 2021, 144 victims of domestic violence availed of the rent supplement measure.