How Does ERAP Work?
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a government initiative to provide financial assistance to individuals and families struggling to pay their rent or utilities due to financial hardship, especially during economic crises or natural disasters.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) provides help paying rent for eligible low- and moderate-income households. Eligible households can pay up to 12 months of back rent and three months of future rent. During the first 30 days of the program, New York State is prioritizing applications for households that meet certain criteria. After that, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds remain available.
Applicants can access the ERAP Portal to upload documents and check application status at any time. The portal also includes a step-by-step walkthrough of the application and document upload process. Some of the most important documents needed to apply for ERAP include an executed lease agreement or a signed letter of termination. Other documents may include a copy of a cancelled check or, evidence of funds transfer, or a ledger indicating the amount of rent due each month.
Landlords that agree to accept ERAP payments must promise not to raise the tenant’s monthly rent for one year. If a landlord refuses to accept an ERAP payment, the rent assistance will be held for 180 days. This will allow enough time for outreach efforts to continue and for the protections of tenants to be enforced. The CRA also has a list of community-based organizations available to help tenants and landlords with their ERAP applications.
I Need Help Paying My Rent Before I Get Evicted
If a tenant has received legal papers from their landlord demanding an eviction, they can contact the ERAP program. The program will assist them with rent payments so that they do not get evicted. It can also pay court costs and filing fees in a summary process case. The program can even cover the cost of moving if necessary. It is important to understand how the program works before contacting the office. The program can help with rent payments, and it will not discriminate on the basis of race or age. It will also not disclose any personal information. It is a requirement of Federal law under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, which funds ERAP.
