Rent Supplement vs HAP — Which is Right for You?

Side-by-side comparison

When Rent Supplement makes sense

Rent Supplement is best suited to people who are temporarily out of work and expect to return to full-time employment soon, and who don't want to deal with their council. It is also used as an emergency bridge payment when someone urgently needs housing support while longer-term arrangements are sorted.

When HAP makes more sense

HAP is the better long-term option for most people. It works if you are in full-time employment, it keeps your place on the social housing list, and it is paid directly to your landlord so you don't have to manage the money yourself. If you are likely to need housing support for more than a year, HAP is the right scheme to be on.

How to switch from Rent Supplement to HAP

To move from Rent Supplement to HAP, contact your local council's housing department and apply for HAP. You will need to demonstrate housing need (usually by being on the social housing list, or re-applying). Once your HAP is approved, your Rent Supplement will stop. Your landlord will also need to agree to be paid through HAP rather than by you directly.

The key steps are: apply to your local council for HAP, get your landlord to agree to the HAP arrangement, submit the HAP application with your landlord's details, and notify the DSP once HAP is approved so your Rent Supplement is closed.

Related guides