Key Takeaways
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Rent Supplement? | A short-term, means-tested payment to help certain people in private rented housing pay rent. |
| Who qualifies? | People in lawful tenancies who meet income, residency and rental history conditions. |
| Is it the same as HAP? | No. HAP is long-term housing support; Rent Supplement is short-term income support. |
| How much must you contribute? | Minimum €30 per week (single) or €40 per week (couple). |
| Are there rent limits? | Yes. Each county has maximum rent thresholds. |
| Can rent above limits be approved? | Yes, in some cases under the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework. |
| Can students apply? | Generally no, unless on Back to Education Allowance. |
| Is Rent Supplement taxable? | No. It is exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC. |
What Is the Rent Supplement Scheme in Ireland?
Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment provided by the Department of Social Protection to help certain people in private rented accommodation who cannot meet the full cost of their rent from their own income.
It is designed as:
- A short-term support
- An emergency safety net
- A bridge for people whose circumstances have changed
It is not intended as a long-term housing solution.
Who Qualifies for Rent Supplement?
You qualify only if:
- You are in a lawful tenancy
- You meet the means (income) test
- You pass the habitual residence condition
- You meet one of the rental history conditions below
Rental History Requirement
You must either:
- Have received Rent Supplement within the last 12 months
OR - Have lived in private rented accommodation for at least 183 days in the previous 12 months and experienced a substantial change in circumstances
Time across multiple rented properties can count towards the 183 days.
How Much Is Rent Supplement?
The amount depends on:
- Your income
- Your rent
- Your household size
- Your county rent limits
You must contribute:
- Minimum €30 per week (single person)
- Minimum €40 per week (couple)
You may pay more if you have additional means.
How Is Income/Means Assessed?
Income considered includes:
- Net employment income
- Social welfare payments
- Working Family Payment
- Cash income
- Savings and Capital (for example, property except your own home, savings and investments).
The capital value of property (except your own home), savings and investments is assessed as follows:
| Capital | Weekly means assessed as |
|---|---|
| First €5,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €25,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Over €40,000 | €4 per €1,000 |
- Certain income is disregarded, such as child benefits, foster care payments, mobility allowances and more. For more, see the Rent Supplement Calculator.
- For the worksheet on how to calculate Rent Supplement, go to the Rent Supplement Worksheet HERE.
Who Does NOT Qualify?
You will not qualify if:
- You are in full-time employment (30+ hours per week)
- You already receive HAP support
- You left local authority housing without reasonable cause
- You were excluded due to anti-social behaviour
- You are full-time students (with some exceptions)
- You are renting from a parent in the family home
What Are the Maximum Rent Limits?
As of 2026, the following are the maximum rents payable under the Rent Supplement scheme as seen on Gov.ie.
LEINSTER
| County | Single Shared | Couple Shared | Single | Couple | Couple/One Parent Family – 1 Qualified Child | Couple/One Parent Family – 2 Qualified Children | Couple/One Parent Family-3 Qualified Children |
| Carlow | €270 | €290 | €440 | €510 | €570 | €600 | €630 |
| Dublin – Fingal | €400 | €440 | €660 | €900 | €1,150 | €1,175 | €1,200 |
| Dublin – Not Fingal | €430 | €500 | €660 | €900 | €1,250 | €1,275 | €1,300 |
| M4-M1 Commuter Belt Area * | €310 | €350 | €575 | €650 | €975 | €1,050 | €1,100 |
| Wicklow M11 Commuter Towns ** | €370 | €410 | €660 | €900 | €1,150 | €1,200 | €1,250 |
| Kildare | €290 | €350 | €500 | €585 | €800 | €835 | €870 |
| Kilkenny | €230 | €270 | €480 | €530 | €630 | €660 | €690 |
| Laois | €240 | €280 | €420 | €433 | €580 | €610 | €630 |
| Longford | €180 | €200 | €330 | €350 | €400 | €425 | €450 |
| Louth | €250 | €290 | €460 | €480 | €660 | €690 | €720 |
| Meath | €240 | €310 | €460 | €500 | €730 | €740 | €750 |
| Offaly | €210 | €230 | €380 | €433 | €550 | €575 | €600 |
| Westmeath | €220 | €240 | €450 | €470 | €600 | €625 | €650 |
| Wexford | €280 | €300 | €420 | €433 | €530 | €565 | €600 |
| Wicklow | €250 | €300 | €440 | €475 | €700 | €735 | €770 |
ULSTER
| County | Single Shared | Couple Shared | Single | Couple | Couple/One Parent Family – 1 Qualified Child | Couple/One Parent Family – 2 Qualified Children | Couple/One Parent Family-3 Qualified Children |
| Cavan | €190 | €220 | €380 | €420 | €450 | €470 | €490 |
| Donegal | €200 | €230 | €340 | €370 | €410 | €470 | €520 |
| Monaghan | €200 | €220 | €330 | €390 | €500 | €515 | €530 |
MUNSTER
| County | Single Shared | Couple Shared | Single | Couple | Couple/One Parent Family – 1 Qualified Child | Couple/One Parent Family – 2 Qualified Children | Couple/One Parent Family-3 Qualified Children |
| Clare | €220 | €240 | €360 | €400 | €480 | €515 | €550 |
| Cork | €300 | €330 | €550 | €650 | €900 | €925 | €950 |
| Kerry | €200 | €230 | €380 | €410 | €525 | €550 | €575 |
| Limerick | €270 | €300 | €420 | €450 | €650 | €700 | €750 |
| Tipperary | €210 | €230 | €380 | €420 | €525 | €560 | €600 |
| Waterford | €240 | €270 | €430 | €450 | €550 | €575 | €600 |
CONNACHT
| County | Single Shared | Couple Shared | Single | Couple | Couple/One Parent Family – 1 Qualified Child | Couple/One Parent Family – 2 Qualified Children | Couple/One Parent Family-3 Qualified Children |
| Galway | €330 | €360 | €575 | €650 | €850 | €875 | €900 |
| Leitrim | €200 | €220 | €340 | €370 | €450 | €475 | €500 |
| Mayo | €200 | €220 | €390 | €410 | €480 | €500 | €520 |
| Roscommon | €240 | €260 | €360 | €390 | €500 | €525 | €550 |
| Sligo | €220 | €250 | €460 | €490 | €550 | €575 | €600 |
If your rent exceeds the limit, Rent Supplement may be refused.
However, under the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework (NTSF), additional payments above the limit may be approved if:
- A landlord increases rent
- A household member has a disability requiring adapted housing
- There is a risk of homelessness
What Is the Difference Between Rent Supplement and HAP?
| Rent Supplement | Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) |
|---|---|
| Short-term support | Long-term housing support |
| Paid by Department of Social Protection | Managed by local authorities |
| For temporary financial difficulty | For those assessed with long-term housing need |
| Must meet rental history rules | Must qualify for social housing support |
If you have a long-term housing need, you should apply for HAP, not Rent Supplement.
Can Landlords Refuse Rent Supplement Tenants?
No. Landlords can no longer advertise “Rent Supplement not accepted.”
Equality legislation prohibits discrimination against tenants receiving:
- Rent Supplement
- HAP
- Other social welfare payments
But the reality is that the reverse is true in practice. Some landlords have been known to discriminate against the above, but many tenants are usually too distressed to report or fight against refusals.
Domestic Violence and Rent Supplement
If referred from Tusla-funded services:
- We can access Rent Supplement immediately
- Means test waived for 3 months
- Can extend for another 3 months (means test applies)
After 6 months, we may need to transition to HAP.
People from Ukraine
Those covered under the Temporary Protection Directive:
- Do not need to meet the 183-day rental history rule
- Do not need housing assessment first
Rent Supplement is available on a flexible basis.
How Do I Apply?
Steps:
- Get Rent Supplement Application Pack (SWA RS1)
- Complete form
- Landlord completes section (or SWA 3C form)
- Provide documentation
- Submit to National Rent Supplement Section
Documents required:
- ID documents
- Income proof
- Tenancy agreement
- Proof of address
- Bank statements
Address:
National Rent Supplement Section
PO Box 12188
Freepost FDN7609
Dublin 2
Tel: 0818 607080
Email: rentsupplement@welfare.ie
What Happens If My Circumstances Change?
If:
- Income increases
- Employment status changes
- Household size changes
Your Rent Supplement may:
- Be reduced
- Be stopped
- Be reassessed
You must notify the Department of changes.
Can I Appeal a Decision?
Yes.
Appeals must be made within 60 days to:
Social Welfare Appeals Office.
Bonus – March 2026 New Lanlord Rules
What Is the 6-Year Rule in Ireland?
The 6-year rule generally refers to tenancy rights under residential tenancy law, not Rent Supplement specifically.
After 6 months of continuous tenancy, tenants usually acquire Part 4 rights, allowing them to remain for up to 6 years (now extended under recent tenancy laws).
This is separate from Rent Supplement eligibility.
What Are the New Rules for Landlords from March 2026?
Recent tenancy changes (outside of Rent Supplement rules) include:
- Stricter rules around ending tenancies
- Increased notice periods
- Further regulation in Rent Pressure Zones
Landlords must also:
- Provide PPSN or tax reference number for Rent Supplement claims
- Comply with anti-discrimination laws
They cannot refuse tenants solely because they receive Rent Supplement. This falls under the “housing assistance” ground in equality legislation.
Final Thoughts – Is Rent Supplement Right for You?
Rent Supplement is:
- A short-term support
- For genuine tenants
- Strictly means-tested
- Subject to rent limits
If you have a long-term housing need, HAP or social housing may be more appropriate.
Understanding the rules clearly helps avoid delays or refusals.
