Renting a room and social welfare or a medical card: does the income count?
If you get a means-tested payment or a medical card, renting a room in your home may not affect it. What the disregard covers, what it doesn't, and who to ask.
- Rent-a-Room Relief
- How much should I charge for a room or digs?
- Post your room free
- Department of Social Protection – rent-a-room income disregard extended
- Citizens Information – renting a room in your home
Social welfare
The Department of Social Protection disregards up to €14,000 a year of rent-a-room income in the means test for means-tested payments. That includes Supplementary Welfare Allowance, the Working Family Payment, Fuel Allowance, the Living Alone Increase and the Household Benefits Package.
The disregard has applied since May 2022 and was extended into 2027. Whether it rises to €16,000 with the tax relief hasn't been confirmed.
It doesn't cover short lets, renting to an employee, or renting to close family (the Department counts aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews as well as children).
Medical card and GP visit card
Up to €14,000 a year of rent-a-room income is not counted in the means test for a medical card or GP visit card, according to Citizens Information.
Tax is a separate question
Rent-a-Room Relief is a tax relief from Revenue: up to €14,000 tax-free for 2026 and €16,000 from 2027. You still declare the income on your tax return. Our Rent-a-Room Relief guide explains the conditions.
Tell them, and ask
Tell the Department of Social Protection or the HSE that you're renting a room, and ask how it affects your own payment or card. Keep a record of what you receive.
Common questions
Will renting a room affect my social welfare?
Up to €14,000 a year of rent-a-room income is disregarded for means-tested payments, if the conditions are met. Tell the Department and ask about your own case.
Does rent-a-room income affect a medical card?
Up to €14,000 a year is not counted in the medical card or GP visit card means test.