Housing

Online HAP Applications

The HAP Shared Services Centre has developed a new online Application Portal for people who are eligible for Social Housing and wish to apply for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Cork County Council is delighted to launch the new online application process for HAP. Those who have already applied do not have to apply again. Online applications are only necessary for new applicants or existing tenants who are moving to a new HAP property. The new online portal will make the application process more efficient and easier for all.

HAP is a financial support to assist those who rent accommodation privately, who are eligible for social housing support.

The online portal is live from Monday, 12 February for applicants to Cork County Council. This will mean that any person who is entitled to Social Housing and wants to apply for HAP will be able to do so online. Your landlord will also submit their application online.

An online application ensures that all necessary information is submitted at the time of the application including all necessary documentation. As a result, applications and documents will be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support for those in need of long-term housing.

Please note the following advice in relation to HAP tenancies:

You can only apply for HAP if you are approved for Social Housing support with Cork County Council.
The family details on your Social Housing file and HAP form must match. If not, please update your Housing file prior to applying for HAP.
Please send us evidence of a change in financial circumstances by email to hap@corkcoco.ie We request that any documents from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection be scanned/photographed and emailed to us.

Am I eligible to apply?

Persons applying for HAP must be a qualified housing applicant(s) before they can apply. Click the following link for information on applying for social housing support.

How it works

If you qualify as an approved housing applicant, you must find your own privately rented accommodation (within certain rent limits). The landlord will be paid directly by the Local Authority and you, the tenant, will pay rent to the local authority based on the differential rent scheme. The rent will be based on your weekly household income and works in the same way that the differential rents charged to local authority houses work.

For more information, please refer to Tenant & Landlord documents in the supporting documents below.

How to apply for HAP online

How to apply for HAP online (Tenant) – View Video Tutorial.
Online HAP portal procedures for Landlords - View Video Tutorial.
Documents a tenant needs before starting the online process - View Video Tutorial.
Documents a landlord needs before starting the process online - View Video Tutorial.
Online HAP FAQs for Tenants
HAP Online FAQs for Landlord/Agents

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: (061) 556600 (Option 1 – tenants) or hapcollections@limerick.ie

Click the following link download more information about Accessing the HAP Scheme.