Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Housing | NYC DSS and HRA / NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA); U.S. Treasury\nDepartment of Social Services (DSS); Human Resources Administration (HRA); NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA); U.S. Treasury

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The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps renters who accrued late rent and utility bills on or after March 13, 2020. There is also help to pay for some future rent, and protection from certain types of eviction and rent increases.

Heads Up

  • ERAP assistance may cover:
  • 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 has limited funds. You can still apply for (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/cash-assistance/) Cash Assistance (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/one-shot-deal/) or One Shot Deal emergency assistance from NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA). If you applied for ERAP earlier, include proof of your ERAP application with your HRA application for rental assistance.
  • U.S. citizenship is not a requirement. Immigration status will not be requested.

    • Eligibility

    U.S. citizenship is not a requirement and immigration status will not be requested.You may be eligible if you can answer yes to all of these questions.

  • Do you have late rent owed after March 2020?
  • Did one or more members of your household lose income due to the COVID-19 pandemic? This can include:
  • receiving (https://access.nyc.gov/programs/nys-unemployment-insurance/) Unemployment Insurance
  • having less income
  • having a significant increase in expenses
  • Is your household's current or calendar year 2020 gross income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)?:
  • Family Size|80% AMI Income in a year|80% AMI Income in a month|80% AMI Income in a week
  • 1|$66,850|$5,570|$1,285
  • 2|$76,400|$6,366|$1,469
  • 3|$85,950|$7,162|$1,652
  • 4|$95,450|$7,954|$1,835
  • 5|$103,100|$8,591|$1,982
  • 6|$110,750|$9,229|$2,129
  • 7|$118,400|$9,866|$2,276
  • 8|$126,000|$10,500|$2,423
  • 9|$133,650|$11,137|$2,570
  • 10|$141,250|$11,770|$2,716
  • 11|$148,900|$12,408|$2,863
  • 12|$156,550|$13,045|$3,010

  • Required Documents

    You will need the documents below to apply:Proof of who you areFor each member of your household, one of the following:

  • Photo I.D.
  • Driver's license or non-driver government-issued ID
  • Passport
  • EBT/Benefits Issuance Card
  • Birth or baptismal certificate
  • School registration
  • Other government-issued IDProof of Social Security Number (optional)
  • Social Security Number of any household members who have one (this is not required)Proof of rental amountSubmit one of the following:
  • Signed lease, even if expired
  • Rent receipt, canceled check, or money order
  • Landlord attestation letterProof of where you liveSubmit one of the following current documents:
  • Signed lease
  • Rent receipt
  • Utility bill
  • School records
  • Bank statement
  • Postal mail with your name
  • Insurance bill
  • Driver's licenseProof of your incomeSubmit documents that show your monthly income for the prior month:
  • Pay stubs
  • Bank account deposit verification
  • Unemployment insurance (UI) benefits letter
  • Other proofOR submit documents that shows your annual income for 2020:
  • W-2 tax form from your employer
  • Annual statement of earnings
  • Copy of income tax return (1040, 1040EZ, 1099, etc.)
  • Self-attestation letter in some circumstances like self-employmentProof of your utility expensesIf you are applying for help paying for overdue utility bills (utility arrears) at the same rental unit:
  • Copy of gas or electric bill

    How to Apply

    Apply online at the NY State OTDA site (https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/) .

    Online

    Tenants should apply as soon as possible. While your ERAP application is pending, you will likely be protected from certain types of eviction.NYCHA residents: When applying, be sure to select either “Public Housing” or “Section 8” depending on which program, if any, apply to your housing.”

    Apply online

    By Mail

    Get Help

  • Chat with an agent (https://nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov/en/Pages/14/chat-with-an-agent) from the NY State ERAP Messaging System.
  • If you have a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation (https://nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov/en/Pages/13/reasonable-accommodations) by emailing [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
  • Visit the ERAP FAQ (https://www1.nyc.gov/content/tenantprotection/pages/covid19-home-quarantine) from the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants.
  • Visit the ERAP site (https://otda.ny.gov/programs/emergency-rental-assistance/) from NY OTDA.
  • Call the NY State ERAP Call Center at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368), 8am - 7pm daily. For TTY call 833-843-8829.
  • If you are at risk of eviction, you may be eligible for free legal assistance. Call 311 and ask for "Tenant Helpline."

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