On Monday, April 7, Social Security will disburse rent support payments as per the. This financial aid has been in place for approximately two years. Who is eligible for this support?
“The extraordinary rent support consists of a monthly, non-refundable financial aid up to a maximum of €200, which corresponds to the difference between the effective effort rate borne by the household for the rent and a maximum effort rate of 35%,” according to the Portal da Habitação.
Households that meet the following cumulative criteria can benefit:
- Have their tax residence in Portugal;
- Hold a rental or sublease contract for their primary residence, registered with AT and concluded by March 15, 2023;
- Have a rent payment effort rate equal to or greater than 35%;
- Have an annual income equal to or less than the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket (2023: €38,632) or,
if not required to submit the annual IRS statement, have a total monthly income equal to or less than 1/14 of the maximum limit of the 6th IRS bracket related to monthly work income declared to Social Security or the following social benefits:
– Old age, survivor, disability, or social pensions;
– Unemployment or parental benefits;
– Social integration income, social inclusion benefit, or solidarity supplement for the elderly;
– Sickness and occupational disease benefits (granted for at least 1 month) or informal caregiver support.
The rent subsidy, it should be noted, “is calculated and awarded by IHRU, I.P., based on data from the Tax Authority and Social Security,” and is subsequently “paid by Social Security,” according to a note published on the Instituto da Segurança Social’s website.
