The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) section within the Housing Department of Limerick City & County Council has launched a new Online Application Portal for citizens who are qualified for Social Housing and wish to apply for HAP.
We are excited to launch the new online application process for HAP. This will only be necessary for new applicants. Those who have already applied need not apply again. We believe the new online portal will make the application process more efficient and easier for everyone.
HAP is a financial support to assist those renting privately, who are eligible for social housing support.
The online portal will go live on Monday, December 18th for Limerick City and County applicants. This will mean that any person who is qualified for Social Housing and wishing to apply for HAP can do so online.
An online application ensures that all the required information is submitted at the time of application including all necessary documents. This results in applications and documents being dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support for those with a long term housing need.
Applicants for HAP must be on their Local Authority’s Housing waiting list before they can complete the online application form – a valid Social Housing number is required for the application.
Please heed the following advice regarding HAP tenancies:
- Ensure you are on the Council’s housing list
- Ensure your family details are up to date
- If you are applying for a discretion payment in respect of your monthly payment to the landlord you will also need to complete a rent review form.
- The local authority can only consider the discretionary payment if the LA are satisfied that we have all the tenants up to date income details.
- Please send in proof of a change in financial circumstances via email to customerservices@limerick.ie We ask that documentation received from DEASP to be scanned/photographed and emailed to your local authority.
- The possibility of local authority staffing levels being reduced may lead to delays in rent amounts being amended, but this won’t affect the HAP payment to landlords.
Am I eligible to apply?
Persons applying for HAP must be a qualified housing applicant(s) before they can apply. Click here for information on applying for council housing.
How it works
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.
For more information please see the Tenant & Landlord documents in the supporting documents below.
How to apply for HAP online
- How to apply for HAP online (Tenant) - watch tutorial here
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HAP Online portal procedure for Landlords - watch tutorial here
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Documents a tenant needs to have ready before starting the online process - watch tutorial here
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Documents a landlord needs to have ready before starting the online process - watch tutorial here
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HAP Online Technical Frequently Asked Questions for Tenants - click here
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HAP Online Technical Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords/Agents – click here
Making a Payment - Paying Your HAP Weekly Rent
- HAP App - download in Play Store (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- Online at happayments.limerick.ie (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- Phone 061-529654 (HAP Recipient ID No. and PIN required)
- HAP Billpay Card in any post office or POSTPOINT shop
If you require confirmation of PIN/HAP Recipient ID please contact:
HAP Shared Services Centre
Phone: +353 61 556600 (Option 1 – tenants) or hapcollections@limerick.ie
Click here to download more information about Accessing the HAP Scheme.
Contact Information
HAP Shared Services Centre
Phone: +353 61 556600
Option 1 for tenants
Option 2 for landlords
HAP Limerick
HAP General Queries 061 556000 (Customer Services)
Please Note: HAP Limerick only deals with HAP queries relating to the area of Limerick city and county.
For general queries not relating to payments please contact your Local Authority.