A pitfall with the 6 month "advance" is that's only an advance the first time. Let's say you start renting Jan 1, and you have to pay your rent in two cheques, Jan 1 and July 1. You apply for the advance and get it paid out in Dec expecting to get the next 6 month's lumpsum in June, in time for the July payment. You don't... it is now paid out with the July salary on July 26 so you will have to find a way to clear the cheque on July 1.