Private-rent safety net · checked 8 September 2026
Rent Supplement initial checker
A short initial route check for people in lawful private tenancies who cannot now meet their rent. Long-term social housing need is generally handled through HAP and the local authority.
Initial questions
Are you in a lawful private tenancy?
Did you receive Rent Supplement in the last 12 months, or live in private rented housing for at least 183 days in the last 12 months?
Are you unable to meet the rent from your present income?
Why no automatic euro result?
The payment depends on assessable means and disregards, county rent limits, household composition, non-dependent adults and officer discretion above a rent limit. SupportCheck will not present an unsafe figure as an entitlement.
Prepare for the application
- SWA RS1 form, with the landlord section completed
- Tenancy and rent evidence
- Income, welfare and bank evidence for the household
- Details of any recent change that made the rent unaffordable
Guidance only: this deliberately avoids a false payment figure. A Community Welfare Officer makes the decision using the full household circumstances.