Emergency Rental Assistance: 5 Facts You Should Know

Here are some of the most critical facts you should know about this billion-dollar program from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

1. You apply locally.

Yes, the federal government funded emergency rental assistance with tens of billions of dollars. But to get your hands on some of that money, you have to apply through your local program.

There are 495 such programs across the country. To find the one nearest you, go here. If you don’t have any luck with that link and need some help, call 211 and tell them you’re looking for emergency rental assistance in your area.

2. It covers several things beyond just rent.

It’s great to have help with paying your rent. But it’s even better getting help with paying utilities, Internet, home energy costs, and moving expenses if you had to relocate due to the pandemic.

3. You may be able to get several months of your rent paid.

Per the ERA program guidelines, people who qualify can get up to 18 months of help with paying the rent. This includes overdue rent dating back to March 13, 2020.

Will you get such assistance if you qualify? That depends on your local program and how much money they have available. If you do receive assistance, you’ll have to use it to pay any overdue rent first. You could then receive help with future rent, with as much as three months of assistance paid at a time.

When you apply, your local program will tell you what they have to offer according to their level of funding from the federal government.

4. You can get help even if your rent is up to date.

Some people have been able to pay the rent this entire time, but they’re behind on other housing-related bills. If you’re in such a situation, your local program may help with past-due utility bills, as well as some in the future. To clarify, these utility costs include things like:

• Electricity
• Water
• Gas
• Trash removal
• Sewer
• Fuel oil
• Internet

Beyond those expenses, you may also receive assistance with these moving costs by themselves, even if you’re rent has been taken care of:

• Hotel/motel bills
• Screening fees
• Application fees
• Security deposits

Late fees may also be covered for any of the bills listed above.

As with rent, you may receive assistance for all of these bills dating back to March 13, 2020. That is the date when a national state of emergency was declared.

5. The ERA program is only for renters.

If you own your home, you’ll be out of luck when it comes to getting assistance from the ERA program, as it’s for renters only. However, you can see if you qualify for the Homeowner Assistance Fund, which was created under the American Rescue Plan. This link offers more information on help for homeowners, and it can connect you with a housing counselor or a lawyer to bring you up to speed.