What is the Housing Assistance Payment?
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support. HAP has replaced Rent Supplement for those with a long term housing need. Short term rent supplement will continue to be managed by the Department of Social Protection.
Am I eligible to apply?
Persons applying for HAP must be a qualified housing applicant(s) before they can apply for HAP. All applicants for HAP in Galway City must have an open and up to date social housing application with Galway City Council.
Current rent supplement recipients who qualify for social housing support will be transferred from rent supplement to HAP on a phased basis.
Click here for information on applying for social housing.
How does it work?
If you are eligible as an approved housing applicant, you must find your own private rented accommodation within specific rent caps. The Local Authority will pay the landlord directly and the tenant will pay a rent to the local authority based on the differential rent scheme. The rent will be based on your weekly household income and works in a similar way to the differential rents charged for local authority houses.
See the attached Tenant & Landlord documents below for more detailed information.
Further information on accessing the HAP Scheme can also be found here.
How do I apply?
Applicants can apply online at https://www.hap.ie/apply/.
Please note that when applying online both tenant and landlord sections must be completed and submitted before the application can be processed.
- How to apply for HAP Online (Tenants) - View Video Tutorial
- How to apply for HAP Online (Landlords) - View Video Tutorial
- Documents a tenant needs before starting the online process - View Video Tutorial
- Documents a landlord needs before starting the online process - View Video Tutorial
- HAP Online Technical Frequently Asked Questions (Tenants) - Click Here
- HAP Online Technical Frequently Asked Questions (Landlords) - Click Here
HAP Application forms for eligible applicants can also be collected in person at City Hall or they can be requested by phone on 091 536400 or email to hap@galwaycity.ie.
HAP Tenants
Once approved for HAP, tenants should inform the HAP unit of any changes in rent, income or family circumstances.
- Form to add Joint Applicant
- Form to add additional dependent
- Form to remove joint applicant/dependent
Notices of rent increase and Notices of Termination must be validated by Threshold. Threshold can be contacted at advicegalway@threshold.ie or 1800 454 454
How Do I Pay My Weekly Rent?
- HAP App - download in play store or using the QR Code below (HAP Customer ID No. & PIN required)
- Online at https://happayments.limerick.ie/ (HAP Customer ID No. & PIN required)
- Standing Order or Household Budget
- HAP bill pay card in any Post Office
Please contact the HAP Section, Galway City Council at the contact details below if you do not know your Customer ID or PIN.
Documents
HAP Information Leaflet (v.3 - February 2016)
HAP Tenant Information Booklet English (v.3 - February 2016)
HAP Tenant Information Booklet Irish (v.3 - February 2016)
HAP Landlord Information Booklet English (v.3 - February 2016)
HAP Landlord Information Booklet Irish (v.3 - February 2016)
HAP Monthly Rent Limits for Galway City
Contact the Galway City Council HAP Unit at
091 536 400 or email hap@galwaycity.ie
For information in relation to HAP payments, account balances or rent arrears, please contact the HAP Shared Services Centre:
Phone: +353 61 556600
Option 1 for tenants
Option 2 for landlords
For general queries not relating to payments please contact Galway City Council