Texas has emergency funds to help renters pay past due rent and utility bills incurred because of the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance dating back to March 13, 2020 is available for eligible renters.

Assistance includes:
1. Past due rent, current rent, and up to two months of future rent costs
2. Past due utility bills, current utility bills, and up to two months of future utility costs
3. Once you are approved for three months of current and future assistance, you can apply for three months of additional assistance as long as funds are available.

How to Qualify



Who is eligible?
1. You must be renting your primary residence, and that residence must be located in Texas.
2. Your household income must not exceed the eligibility limits.
3. Your monthly rent must be below the program limit of $4,600.
4. You must have received a past due or eviction notice.
5. Your household must be at risk of homelessness or housing instability.
6. One or more members of your household must have experienced one of the following due to the COVID pandemic:

  • Reduced or lost income

  • Increased expenses

  • Approved for unemployment benefits


7. You must not be requesting assistance for rent/utility expenses already covered by another program.

How do I apply?
If you have met the eligibility qualifications, you need to gather the documents you will need to complete the application. They include the following:

Tenants
1. Identification (driver’s license, passport, military ID, Voter registration card, library card, student ID)
2. Proof your income is below the program limit
Option 1:

  • If you are facing eviction (court docket number, Justice of the Peace precinct number, county of court) you can certify your income is below the limit and no further documentation is required

Option 2:

  • For households with six or fewer members receiving assistance from another program (LIHEAP/CEAP, SNAP, SSI, TANF, Head Start, or Tribal TANF OR Survivor Pension, Veterans Affairs Disability Pension, Section 306 disability pension, Enhanced Survivor Benefits)

  • For households with three or fewer members (WIC)

  • For households living in public housing or rent restricted property or households receiving Section 8 or tenant-based rental assistance, latest income certification no later than one year from application date

Option 3: For households providing proof of income 80% or below area median (need one for every household member 18 or older)

  • 2020 tax return

  • W-9

  • Wage statement

  • Pay stubs

  • Alimony or unemployment compensation

  • Social Security, retirement letter, pension

  • Self-employment certifications

  • Interest statement


3. Proof of residence and amount of rent (fully executed lease, rent receipts)
4. Proof of risk of homelessness or housing instability (need one)

  • Past due rent or eviction notice

  • Certification you must move because of unsafe or unhealthy living conditions


5. Proof of financial hardship (need one)

  • Certification of approval for unemployment benefits

  • Certification of reduced income, significant costs, or some other financial hardship related to the COVID pandemic


6. Amount of assistance requested (ALL)

  • Amounts you owe for rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020

  • Current month and two additional months of rent and utilities

  • Copies of past due utility bills dating back to March 13, 2020

Landlords
1. Valid identification (government issued ID if sole proprietor)
2. Taxpayer information (W-9)
3. Evidence of tenant occupancy and rent (lease agreement or rental agreement)
4. Eviction information if applicable (county of court, court docket number, Justice of the Peace precinct number)
5. Payment information (ACH for direct deposit)

Tenants apply here.

Landlords apply here.

FAQ


Are some applicants given priority?
Yes. Households whose income is at or below 50% of the area median and households with one or more members who have been unemployed for 90 days or longer are given priority. After these cases, households that have been sued for eviction and households that have received utility disconnection notices will be given priority.

Is there a limit to the amount of rental assistance you can receive?
Rent amount cannot exceed $4,600 a month.

What exactly is considered unsafe or unhealthy living conditions?
It can be a situation in which a household is overcrowded or living in emergency shelter where the risk of COVID transmission is high.

How will I know if the landlord has been paid on my behalf?
Landlords and tenants will receive emails from a program representative that provides a breakdown of the months and amounts that have been approved and the timeline for payment.

Is past due rent from 2020 eligible for repayment?
Yes. Past due amounts dating back to March 13, 2020 are eligible for repayment.

What counties are covered by the program?
All 254 counties are covered. Renters from anywhere in the State of Texas can apply.

What happens if I’m not approved or don’t agree with the amount that is approved?
You have the right to appeal the decision made by the program representatives if it is filed within 30 days of the denial.

How are payments made?
If the landlord participates in the program, payments will be made directly to the landlord by direct deposit. If the landlord refuses to participate in the program, payments will be made to the tenant who, in turn, will pay the landlord.

I have tenants who can’t complete an online application. Can I do it for them?
Yes. If you have tenants who want to apply for assistance, but can’t do it on their own, you or a trusted third party may fill out the application on their behalf.

Can tenants who don’t have leases, or have expired leases, still apply?
Yes. Tenants without leases must get the landlord to attest to the terms and amount of the rent.

What happens if I have tenants without a Social Security number?
They can still apply, but they need to submit a government issued ID.

What happens if the tenant’s rent includes utilities and internet service?
Applicants can request the full amount of the rent as long as it does not exceed $4,600 a month.

What happens if a person listed on the lease is no longer living in the rental unit?
The tenant should indicate on the application that the household member is no longer in residence. That person’s income does not have to be included in the application.