FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions regarding the federally funded COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program. These may be updated periodically to answer additional questions, to provide clarifications or corrections, and to include additional information as new guidance is provided from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
How do I know if my income qualifies? What sources of income include household income?
In the application, you will include income from all sources for all household members 18 years of age and older that are part of the household. This includes wages, unemployment compensation, gig economy income, tips, business income, self-employment income, retirement, pensions, Social Security benefits, and Supplemental Social Security income. Use the table on page 2 to determine your eligibility. Income eligibility will be based on either the household’s total income in 2020, or the monthly income the household is receiving at the time of application. If you decide to use your monthly income at time of application, that monthly income will be multiplied by 12 months to determine whether your household’s income exceeds 80% AMI. If your household qualifies based on monthly income, you will need to recertify your income every three months.
Can I apply for OERAP if I live with roommates?
Yes. Everyone living in the unit is considered part of the household and must apply together, unless they are in a clearly documented arrangement to rent part of a home separately. All adults must provide income documentation.
Can I apply if I live in public housing, have Section 8 or a Housing Choice Voucher, or other housing assistance?
Yes. You may apply for the amount of rent you are required to pay as long as those costs have not been paid with other assistance and you meet all program eligibility requirements.
Can I apply regardless of my citizenship or residency state?
Yes. OERAP welcomes all renters that meet the criteria above to apply for rent assistance. The application does not require immigration or citizenship status documentation.
What types of rental properties are eligible for assistance?
The following types of residential rental properties are eligible for OERAP:
- Apartments
- Single-family homes
- Rented manufactured homes
- Rented manufactured home lots (pad rent)
- Hotel and motel stays as the renter’s primary residence
- Other informal lease arrangements, subject to review
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
If a renter has been evicted and/or moved from the unit, are they eligible for assistance to pay rent arrears on the former unit with this program?
No. The tenant must still be living in the unit for which they are requesting assistance. We understand there is interest in expanding program assistance to cover arrears related to former units; we may reassess if further federal guidance is released on this issue.
If I receive assistance will my other benefits like food stamps and housing assistance be impacted?
No. If you receive this assistance it will not impact your eligibility for any federally funded program such as food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, social security, WIC or public housing. If your landlord won’t take payment directly, we may offer the funds directly to you. Those funds would not be considered income for federal tax purposes and would not impact your eligibility for federally funded programs. This protection is built into the law that provides this assistance. If you receive a benefit that is not federally funded, please check with the benefit administrator.
What costs will be covered?
You may request rent and/or utility assistance back to March 13, 2020. Prior past due rent and utilities are not eligible. OERAP will cover up to 12 months of past due rent and three months of forward rent. OERAP will also cover past due utility costs including electricity, gas, home energy services, water, sewer and trash removal. Costs that willNOT be covered include: homeowner costs, homeowner utilities, landlord-paid utilities, landlord-paid property taxes, property insurance, phone, and renter insurance.
Is there a maximum amount of how much assistance is allowed?
No, there is generally no cap on dollar amount of rent or utility assistance. However, there is a limit on the total number of months of assistance that can be received. The program can provide twelve months of assistance, starting from March 13, 2020 – present, with possibility to pay future rent for 3 months.
Additional limits may be imposed depending on availability of resources.
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Download the full Frequently Asked Questions information sheet.