OUR Florida is currently accepting rental and utility bill assistance applications. You must submit a complete application, including all the required documentation, before you can receive assistance.

How to Qualify

Who is eligible?
1, You must rent a home, apartment, or other type of housing in the State of Florida.
2. Your gross household income cannot exceed 80% of the area median.
3. You must have qualified for unemployment benefits, incurred significant costs, or faced financial hardship because of the COVID pandemic.
4. You must be at risk of homelessness or facing housing instability due to COVID.

How do you apply?
The first step is to gather the required documents. You will need:
1. Identification in the form of a driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate
2. Your current, completely executed lease or rental agreement (must include tenant’s name, address, and terms of lease including payment terms. If you don’t have a copy of the lease, you will need proof of your rental arrangement like bank statements or canceled checks showing rent payments.
3. Annual income documentation such as W-2s or 1099s, pay stubs, bank statements
4. If you are receiving TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or low income housing subsidy, you need proof of eligibility.
5. Unemployment benefits documents, proof of COVID related increased cost (child care, medical expenses)
6. Past due rent or eviction notices or failed inspection report
7. If you’re someone assisting the renter in filling out the application, you must attach a Communication Designee Formwith the application.

Apply online here. You can also contact the Florida call center for assistance at 1-833-493-0594.

FAQ

Is state emergency rent assistance considered income?
If you are a renter and a landlord or utility company is receiving assistance on your behalf, the rental assistance is not considered income.

How can I find out if I am income eligible?
Answer the questionnaire here to find out if your household income meets the program requirements.

If I’m already getting assistance, can I still apply?
If you are receiving assistance through the CARES Act, state, local, or non-profit organizations, the rent and utility bills covered by these programs are not eligible. Outstanding bills not covered by these programs may be eligible.

What do I do if I don’t have a lease?
You can provide receipts, canceled checks, bank records, or a statement from the landlord with proof of rent payments.

I get paid in cash. I don’t have pay stubs.How can I prove my income?
Every adult member of the household reporting cash income must submit a signed self-attestation of income. The sources will be verified.

How do I prove I lost income due to COVID?
You can include a statement from your employer, notice of a business closure, proof of wages showing the reduction, termination notice, proof of child support or spousal support loss.

When will I receive payment?
Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. All documents will be reviewed and verified. If direct deposit is being used, you can expect a transfer of funds within 18 days from when the application was filed. This time frame may not be applicable if another transfer method is used or if the program requires additional documentation.

Can landlords file applications on behalf of their tenants?
Landlords or tenants can file applications, but all applications must be signed by the tenant signifying the information contained on the application is correct. The renter must submit the required documentation as well.

My husband lost his job last year, but I am still working. Will we qualify for assistance?
It depends. Your annual household income cannot exceed 80% of the area median to be eligible for assistance.

I live in low income housing, but I still can’t afford my rent. Can I apply for assistance?
Renters who live in subsidized housing like public housing, low-income housing credit, or Indian housing block grant are eligible for assistance through this program as long as you are not being reimbursed through another federal assistance program.