How to Qualify

Who is eligible?
1. Households that are renting. To be eligible applicants must have an arrangement in which they are renting their primary residence from the property owner. The preferred method of proof is a lease or rental agreement signed by both the landlord and the tenant. If a lease is not available, a utility bill, bank statement, or canceled checks showing payments to the landlord will be accepted.

2. Households that have experienced COVID related financial hardship. One or more household member must prove their ability to pay their rent has been negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic. This may include qualifying for unemployment benefits, reduced income, having incurred significant cost or experienced some other financial hardship directly or indirectly related to COVID.

3. Households that are income eligible. Household income may not exceed 80% of area median as determined by HUD and the county in which the household resides.

4. Households that have past due rent. In the first phase of the program, households must be behind in rent. Tenants must catch up on past due rent before they can apply for assistance with future rent.

How do I apply?
1. Review all the required criteria and documentation.
2. Answer the pre-screening questions.
3. If you get an email indicating you may be eligible, start the application by filling in your name, phone number, email address, and password.
4. Complete the application, upload the required documents, and click submit.
5. Program representatives will review your application and contact your landlord and/or utility provider.
6. If additional information is required, you will be contacted.

FAQ

Should tenants ask for future rent?
Yes. If you plan to stay in your current home for the foreseeable future and think you will need assistance. The program provides housing stability by paying both past due rent and future rent three months at a time. You can request future rent assistance when you are filling out the original application.

My landlord began my application for me? Is that okay?
Yes. Your landlord can begin the process but the tenant must add income and lease information as well as the required certifications. Tenants must submit the applications. Landlords cannot submit the application themselves. If the tenant doesn’t complete the application, the registration created by the landlord will expire and be canceled after 10 days.

Who is considered the member of my household?
1. All adults living on the premises at the time of the application.
2. All children living on the premises at the time of the application.
3. Unborn children of pregnant women.

Do I have to pay back the state emergency rental assistance money?
No. The funds are not a loan. Tenants do not have to repay the funds as long as they are used as approved. Landlords are required to reimburse the assistance funds if the tenant moves out of the unit. Tenants are not responsible for the obligations of their landlords.

Will my other benefits, like housing assistance and food stamps, be affected if I’m approved for this program?
No. This program will not affect your eligibility for any federal programs, such as public housing, food stamps, WIC, Medicaid, Medicare, or Social Security. If your landlord won’t participate, and the funds are paid directly to you, they will not be considered income for tax purposes. They will not affect your ability to qualify for federally funded programs. If you receive benefits that aren’t federally funded, contact the benefit administrator.

Can I apply if I’ve never had COVID?
Yes. If you have suffered some type of financial hardship related to the COVID pandemic, you may be eligible for assistance.

How do I know if I’m income eligible? What should be included as income to receive assistance?
Clickhereto view the income eligibility requirements by county.

You must include the income of all household members who are 18 years of age or older. This includes wages, gig income, tips, self-employment income, business income, social security, pensions, retirement, supplemental social security, and unemployment benefits.

Is there a specific browser I should use for the application?
Google Chrome will work best. If you don’t have the latest version of Google Chrome, you can download ithere.

If I live in public housing, get Section 8 or a Housing Choice Voucher, can I still apply?
Yes, but the program funds will not pay for costs covered by another program for the same period of time.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible?
No. You will not be required to document status on the application.

What kinds of rental properties are eligible?

• Apartments
  

• Single family homes
  

• Manufactured homes
  

• Manufactured home lots
  

• Hotels and motels that are primary residences
  

Will the program pay for internet service?
No. At this time, the program does not pay for internet service. Contact FCC forEmergency Broadband Benefits.

Does the program pay for past due rent prior to April 1, 2020?
The program does not provide assistance for past due rent prior to March 13, 2020.

I have been evicted and have moved. Can I receive assistance for past due rent on the house I used to live in?
No. You must be living in the unit for which you are requesting rent assistance.