Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien has announced an increase in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discretion rate to 35% from next month.
Local authorities will now be able to pay up to 35% more than the current set HAP rates, which differs between local authorities.
The Housing Assistance Payment is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need.
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The local authorities administer the scheme and pay the landlords directly.
Tenants pay a weekly HAP rent contribution to the local authority based on their income and ability to pay.
Under the HAP scheme, you can take up full-time employment and keep your housing support.
Speaking at this morning's FEANSTA conference, Minster O'Brien also said he would be expanding the couple's rate to single people.
This will apply to new HAP recipients from next month and will benefit 60,000 people across the country.
Who can get the HAP payment?
You must be on the local authority's housing list – which means that you qualify for social housing support.
You cannot transfer from any other form of social housing to HAP. However, you may be asked to transfer from Rent Supplement to HAP.
How to apply?
If you are not yet on your local authority's housing list, you will need to apply for social housing support in the usual way.
If you are already on the housing list, you can ask the local authority for a HAP application form.
This form only needs to be filled in when you have found suitable accommodation or if you are already in private rented accommodation and eligible to transfer to HAP.
Your landlord will need to complete and sign part of the HAP application form.
If you are a tenant and in any doubt about whether your tenancy arrangement qualifies for HAP, check with your local authority.
If you are approved for HAP, you then sign a Rent Contribution Agreement with the local authority. You may be asked for a copy of the rental agreement with your landlord.
If you have been getting Rent Supplement for a long time (generally 18 months or more), you may get a letter from the Department of Social Protection asking you to contact your local authority to apply for social housing support (including HAP).
You must apply within six weeks of being asked to do so. This deadline can be extended in certain cases. You may then be transferred to HAP or to another form of social housing support.
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