How to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program? (click here to read more)

Information sourced from https://otda.ny.gov/programs/Emergency-Rental-Assistance/

When:

Applications are now open.

What?

The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps New Yorkers who are behind their rent and at risk of becoming homeless, by providing significant economic relief such as temporary rental and utility assistance. Households that qualify for rental arrears can also apply for utility arrears at the same time.  

Benefits

Households approved for ERAP may receive:

Eligible low and moderate-income households can get up to 12 months of their back rent paid, three months of additional rental assistance for future payments, and 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments. The rental and utility arrears payments must have accrued on or after March 13, 2020. Rent payment will be directly paid to the landlord or property owner. Utility payments will be directly paid to the company on the behalf of the tenant.
If the landlord cannot be located immediately, funds will be held for up to 180 days to allow enough time to make the necessary arrangements with the landlord.

Find out if you’re eligible

According to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet all of the following criteria:
  • Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income that is at or below 80 percent AMI.
Household SizeAt or Under 80% AMIAt or Under 50% AMI
1$66,850$41,800
2$76,400$47,750
3$85,950$53,700
4$95,450$59,650
5$103,100$64,450
6$110,750$69,200
7$118,400$74,000
8$126,000$78,750
  •  On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020. 
  • The household must be at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which can be demonstrated by having rental arrears owed on or after March 13, 2020.

There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program.

Priority Applications

According to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, applications will be primarily focused on helping households with income at or below 50% AMI with one household member under the following categories
  • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or
  • Is a veteran; or
  • Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or
  • Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or
  • Resides in a mobile home; or
  • Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (Check your ZIP Code); or
  • Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.

    The second group is households with income at or below 50 percent AMI.
    The third group is households with income at or below 80 percent AMI that also includes a household member who:
  • Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or
  • Is a veteran; or
  • Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or
  • Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or
  • Resides in a mobile home; or
  • Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (Check your ZIP Code); or
  • Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.
  • The fourth group is households with income at or below 80 percent AMI.

    Application for all eligible households will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis after this period of 30 days.

What documents do I need to apply?

Renter Applicants

Renters will need to provide:
  • Personal identification for all household members. Acceptable forms of identification include A photo ID, driver’s license or non-driver government-issued ID, passport, EBT/Benefits Issuance Card, birth or baptismal certificate, school registration.
  • Social Security number of any household members who have been issued one. Individuals do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify for the program.
  • Proof of rental amount, signed lease, even if expired. If no lease is available then proof can be shown through a rent receipt, canceled check, or money order. If no documentation is available, landlord attestation will be accepted.
  • Proof of residency and occupancy – Signed lease, rent receipt, utility bill, school records, bank statement, postal mail with the name of applicant, insurance bill, or driver’s license. Proof should be current.
  • Proof of Income to document income eligibility:
    • Documents demonstrating monthly income for the prior month, such as pay stubs, bank account deposit verification, unemployment benefits letter, or other proof;
      OR
    • Documents demonstrating annual income for 2020, such as a W-2 tax form from an employer, an annual statement of earnings, or a copy of a completed income tax return, such as a 1040, 1040EZ, 1099 tax form, or other evidence of 2020 annual income.
    • Self-attestation of income is permitted in certain circumstances where no documentation is available such as certain self-employment.
  • Copy of gas or electric utility bill, if applying for help paying for utility arrears at the same rental unit.

Applicants will be asked to attest that on or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household received unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The applicant will need to sign the application form and associated certifications agreeing that the information provided in the application is accurate.

Landlord Applicants

Landlords and property owners will need to provide:

  • Completed W-9 tax form.
  • Executed lease with tenant applicant, or if there is no written lease, a canceled check, evidence of funds transfer, or other documentation of the last full monthly rent payment.
  • Documentation of rent due from tenant (e.g. ledger, etc.) or attestation on application.
  • Banking information to receive direct deposit payment.

The property owner or an authorized property management company will be required to sign the application form and associated certifications agreeing that the information provided, including the amount of rental arrears owed, is accurate and does not duplicate a payment received from another program.

The property owner or authorized property management company must also agree to the following terms as a condition of accepting rental arrears payments:

  • The ERAP payment satisfies the tenant’s full rental obligations for the time period covered by the payment.
  • Waive any late fees due on any rental arrears covered by the ERAP payment.
  • Not increase the monthly rental amount above the monthly amount due at the time of application for ERAP assistance for months for which rental assistance is received and for one year from receipt of the ERAP payment.
  • Not evict the household on behalf of whom the ERAP payment is made for the reason of expired lease or holdover tenancy for one year from the receipt of the ERAP payment. An exception to this requirement shall be made if the dwelling unit contains four or fewer units and the property owner or owner’s immediate family members intend to immediately occupy the unit for use as a primary residence.

Need help with the application? Contact us at gsbdcorp@aol.com, we’ll assist you in completing the forms.