ERAP Application Procedures & Guideline in New York
They’ve been a lot of queries on how to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in New York. The ERAP helps New York residents to pay rent and utilities owed due to COVID-19.
It also helps entered to pay for some future rent and protection from certain types of eviction and rent increases.
Contents
Benefits of ERAP
The ERAP benefits may cover the following
- Up to 12 months of late rent
- Up to 3 months of future rent if your household pays 30% or more of gross monthly income for rent
- Up to 12 months of late electric or gas utility bills
Tenants who are eligible may receive these protections related to the ERAP payment:
- You cannot be evicted for not paying late rent covered by the ERAP payment.
- Your landlord cannot collect late fees associated with the ERAP payment.
- Your landlord cannot increase your monthly rent for one year.
- Your landlord cannot bring certain types of eviction cases against you for one year.
Payment will be made directly to the landlord, property owner, or utility company on the tenant’s behalf. Tenants will be notified of payment made on their behalf.
The ERAP payment is not considered income for tenants when qualifying for public assistance and other benefits.
You can apply even if you have an eviction case pending against you. Applying will likely suspend an eviction case.
- Landlords have the option to decline ERAP payments. If this is the case, tenants are still encouraged to apply because an approved ERAP application may be used as a defense if you are brought to court.
Landlords can apply on behalf of tenants.
ERAP Application Eligibility
New York residents are eligible for ERAP if they meet 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. (The ERAP program serving households with income over 80 percent and up to 120 percent of area median income closed to new applications on February 14, 2022).
- 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.
Households eligible for rental arrears may also be eligible for help paying utility arrears at the same rental unit.
Applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available.
Documents Needed to Apply for ERAP
Renter Applicants
Renters will need to provide:
- Personal identification for primary applicant (individual signing application). Acceptable forms of identification include items such as: A photo ID, driver license or non-driver government-issued ID, passport, EBT/Benefits Issuance Card, birth certificate or 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 name of applicant, insurance bill, or driver license. Proof should be current.
- Proof of Income:
- 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 through a written and signed statement 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:
- W-9 tax form by typing this information in the Owner Account on the ERAP portal.
- Executed lease with tenant applicant, or if there is no written lease, a cancelled check, evidence of funds transfer or other documentation of the last full monthly rent payment. Upload pages of lease to at least include unit address, tenants on lease, monthly rental obligation, and signature page.
- Documentation of rent due from tenant by uploading a monthly rent confirmation form or ledger identifying the rental amount due by month. Do not include non-rent payments such as late fees or parking fees.
- Banking information by typing in direct deposit information in the Owner Account on the ERAP portal.
- If applicable, an owner affidavit or signed agreement designating the property management company/agent as authorized recipient of ERAP funds.
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 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.
How to Apply for ERAP
To get started APPLY HERE!
NY State ERAP Call Center Phone Numer
Call the NY State ERAP Call Center at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368), 8am – 7pm daily. For TTY call 833-843-8829.
