The Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP) is a joint effort between the federal government and the State of Washington to help renters at risk of eviction due to the COVID pandemic.

How to Qualify


Who is eligible?
1. Your household income cannot exceed 80% of the area median. Click here to find the income limits in your area.
2. Your household must be experiencing financial hardship directly or indirectly related to the COVID pandemic that threatens the household’s ability to pay rent when due.
3. Your household must be at risk of homelessness or experiencing housing instability.

Priority assistance will be given to those households that:
1. Have a household income at or below 50% of the area median.
2. Have one or more members who have been unemployed for 90 days or longer.

How do I apply?
Contact the service provider in your county for information on how to apply.

You will need the following documentation to complete your application:
1. Income documentation

  • Pay stubs, tax filings, W-2s, wage statements

  • Documentation from another federal assistance program

  • Attestation from employer

  • Self-declaration


2. Housing status documentation

  • Past due or eviction notice

  • Statement from landlord verifying past due rent

  • Self-declaration


3. Financial hardship documentation

  • Letter confirming unemployment benefits

  • Self-declaration

FAQ


How do you prove you are at risk of homelessness or housing instability?
1. Past due or eviction notice
2. Overcrowding

How do you prove how much rent is owed?
Applicants can provide a current lease agreement, an attestation from the landlord, or bank statements and cancelled checks showing a pattern of rent payments.

What utility costs are covered?
Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash, and home energy costs, such as fuel oil. Utility costs paid by the landlord will be treated as rent.

Is there a limit on the amount of assistance a renter can receive?
Yes. Eligible applicants can receive up to 12 months of assistance for past due rent and three months of future rent as long as funds are available.

Does the assistance money have to be repaid?
No, not as long as the applicant abides by the terms and conditions of the program agreement.

Are homeowners eligible for assistance with this program?
No. This program is for renters only.

Are people living in hotels/motels eligible for assistance?
Yes. Households that have been temporarily displaced due to the pandemic and are living in hotel or motel rooms are eligible for assistance. The program will not pay for incidental expenses associated with the hotel/motel room stay.