The rent supplement scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people, including those who are in receipt of disability allowance, living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source.
Responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those in social housing rests with local authorities.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to rent supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.