Renter left ineligible for new €750 budget rent tax credit increase after availing of HAP

Lisa Monaghan rents a house in Balbriggan with her husband and two children. Due to being rendered homeless last year, after her previous landlord decided to sell the property they were living in, they are only able to afford the home due to being accepted for homeless housing assistance payment (HAP).

As a result, however, it means they are ineligible for the €750 renters’ tax credit announced in the budget. While feeling the family have in some ways “fallen through the gaps” of supports provided, there are still some elements that will have a positive impact on their lives.

The doubling of child benefit before Christmas will have a “massive benefit” to the family’s finances.

“It will mean we won’t be stressing out over the food shop in December. We’re not ones for going out to the pub or anything, but it will even mean we can turnaround to the kids and say we’re going to order a pizza, which would be a real treat for them,” Ms Monaghan said.

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“That money essentially can go straight into our pockets and give us that bit of wiggle room.”

The three energy credits totalling €450 will also alleviate pressure on finances during the more difficult months.

“It has such a big knock-on effect. They only thing is, I wish they would address the problem rather than throwing money at it. I am glad they did it, but I just think they went the wrong way about it.”

The biggest difference, however, is the extension of free schoolbooks to junior cycle. Her eldest son is starting secondary school next September, and the cost of that transition was a concern for the family.

“There is just a massive cost to that. We don’t qualify for the back to school allowance so it’s always a difficult time financially. Now that the schoolbooks are covered, all we’ll have to worry about is the uniform and stationary. That is a big benefit.”

Overall, Ms Monaghan is quite happy with this year’s budget, having thought they would not be eligible for any extras. “If I was to sit down with a pen and paper there probably would be a difference, but it would be quite minimal.”