The Social Security will proceed with the payment of extraordinary rent support this Monday, July 7, according to the payment schedule of the agency. So, how does this support work? Who is eligible?
“The extraordinary rent support, created by Decree-Law No. 20-B/2023, dated March 22, is intended for families with lease or sublease contracts for primary residences signed up to March 15, 2023, who have an annual income equal to or less than the maximum limit of the sixth IRS bracket and whose effort rate for paying the rent is equal to or greater than 35%,” as stated on the Housing Portal.
Here are seven responses regarding this support, based on information available on the same portal:
1 – What is the extraordinary rent support?
“The extraordinary rent support is a non-refundable monthly financial aid, up to a maximum of 200€, which corresponds to the difference between the actual effort rate borne by the household with the rent and a maximum effort rate of 35%.”
2 – What are the eligibility criteria for the support?
“Households that meet the following criteria can benefit from the support:
- Have fiscal residence in Portugal;
- Be holders of a lease or sublease contract for a primary residence, registered with the AT and signed up to March 15, 2023;
- Whose effort rate for rent payments is equal to or greater than 35%;
- Whose annual income is equal to or less than the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket (2023: 38,632€) or,
if not required to submit an annual IRS declaration, whose total monthly income is equal to or less than 1/14 of the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket relative to monthly work income declared to Social Security or the following social benefits:
– Old-age, survival, disability, or social pensions;
– Unemployment or parental benefits;
– Social integration income, inclusion social benefit, or solidary supplement for the elderly;
– Sickness and occupational disease benefits (with a minimum attribution of 1 month) or informal caregiver support.”
3 – How is the support granted?
“The extraordinary rent support is granted without the need to submit an application.”
4 – How do I know if I am eligible for the extraordinary rent support?
“Households that meet the eligibility conditions to receive the extraordinary rent support are informed by the AT of the amount granted and the data considered for its calculation.”
5 – I receive rent financial support from IHRU. Am I eligible for the extraordinary rent support?
“Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility conditions for the extraordinary rent support. In this case, the amount of support calculated is reduced by the amounts of other financial supports for rent that are provided by the IHRU.”
6 – What is the duration of the support?
“The support is granted until December 31, 2028, without prejudice to it being re-evaluated annually.”
7 – How and when is the support payment made?
“The payment of the support is automatic (no request is needed) and is paid by Social Security via bank transfer by the 20th of each month.
With the payment of the first monthly installment of the support, payments are also made retroactively for support relative to rents paid since January 1, 2023.
If the calculated support is less than 20 euros, it will be paid every six months.”
