What am I entitled to…if anything?!

[Goinoutalone]

Separated, 2 dc 50:50.
im paying a ridiculous amount in rent. Am I entitled to anything at all?? Everything seems to say no because the custody is 50:50. Or am I missing something?

Which end of Ireland are you in? Laws differ as does social welfare entitlements.

Rep of Ireland

Well it depends if you work or not I guess and then how much you earn if you do. If you do earn under a certain amount and you work you can be entitled to working family payment. Similar if you are not earning over a certain amount you can claim rent allowance or hap but i have no idea of either of those and child benefit every month of course if kids under 19 and still in education. If you dont work depending on ages of kids you can get one parent family payment and if over 7 you could claim job seekers.

Social welfare system in Ireland (citizensinformation.ie)

As per maintenance, 50/50 is either rare or just a new eniugh thing down here as far as i know anyway. As far as I knew you could ask for maintenance no matter what but I think it is just an agreement between parents. Here is a link anyway
Maintenance orders and agreements (citizensinformation.ie)

Yes I work, full time, earn over 40k and claim child benefit. I’m guessing it’s highly unlikely I’ll be entitled to anything. Thank you. I’ll call citizens advice

Child benefit is not means tested so they wont ask about that.
Worksheet: One-Parent Family Payment and income from work (citizensinformation.ie)
Might be able to help you. Make sure you ring revenue and tell them you are separated and get tax credits changed to lone parent as you will pay less tax.

Working Family Payment (citizensinformation.ie)

Thanks @Psychoticbreak looking at that it seems I wouldn’t get that payment either. Thank you though.

You might possibly be entitled to a medical
Card or gp visiting card

Have you looked at HAP for your rent

www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting-a-home/help-with-renting/housing-assistance-payment/

You can work and still possibly qualify for HAP.

@DublinFemale thank you. I had never looked at that but I earn too much for this just about.

You may qualify for housing list depending where you live as each council is different - you need to be on that to get HAP as the income limits are after tax etc afaik. It's only worth bothering with if your landlord will accept it though.
You get tax credits for your rent
There's a tax credit for 1 parent families, not sure if the 50:50 custody effects it, but you ll find info on Citizens Advice site

@MILLYmo0se thank you, I’ve had a Quick Look this morning and it looks like I earn just about too much for HAP 😩

Might depend if it is before or after tax? I say give them a call anyway and just be sure or even go into your local intreo office and ask

@Psychoticbreak I just rang them and it’s after tax so this could be very possible. I’m very hopeful on this. Thank you

Working family payment?
If you google it the rates are there depending on weekly salary

@Firefly993 yeah I earn too much and the 50/50 custody is a barrier to that one also I think

Sorry I missed about the 50 50 custody, yes that probably changes things
It's really difficult at the moment isn't is and everything is so bloody expensive! Hope you get sorted

How is your ex doing financially? Have you spoken to him, if he is really struggling too ye might have to amend the agreement so that someone can claim more. But I honestly have no clue how any of that works

@pontipinemum well he earns more and has no rent/mortgage do I imagine he’s in a much better position.

@Goinoutalone would he help you with mortgage? Did ye own a house together?

Technically I still own half yes as we haven’t dealt with all of the financials yet. So yes eventually I will have something for a deposit to get my own place. But for now I’m renting and it’s costing quite a bit.