Lake County IL FERA: Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program Guide

Last updated: June 26, 2026

About the Lake County FERA Program

The Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program assists qualified families financially impacted by COVID-19 with rent and utility payment support. If you live in Lake County, Illinois, and have experienced a COVID-related financial difficulty, you may be eligible for assistance with overdue housing bills. To understand how ERAP programs work at the federal level, FERA draws from the same Treasury-administered Emergency Rental Assistance funding used across the country.

When approved, funds are sent directly to the landlord or utility provider — not to the tenant — ensuring that assistance is applied immediately toward the outstanding balance. Both tenants and landlords can play a role in initiating an application, and the program is designed to be accessible to residents without internet access through phone and text-based support channels.

Who Qualifies for Lake County FERA Assistance

To qualify for assistance through the Lake County FERA Program, you must meet all of the following:

• Pay rent in Lake County, Illinois — the rental property must be located within Lake County.
• Experience a COVID-related financial hardship — including job loss, furlough, reduced hours due to school closures, or unforeseen medical or other expenses.
• Be at risk of homelessness or housing instability — demonstrating that without assistance, your housing situation would become unstable or unsafe.
• Meet income limits — your household’s current annual income must fall below the program’s published thresholds, which vary by household size.

Pro Tip

If you’re unsure whether your income qualifies, apply anyway and let a caseworker make the determination. You can also call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to be connected with an agency that can walk you through the income requirements specific to your household size before you submit a full application.

How to Apply for Lake County FERA

Applications are submitted online at LakeCountyIL.gov/RentHelp. If you have questions or need help completing your application, contact 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 — this connects you with a recommendation to a suitable local agency for additional support. You must complete the full application and provide proof of both your income and your housing expenses.

Once accepted, the FERA program disburses funds directly to your landlord or utility provider, clearing the outstanding balance on your behalf. You will not receive the funds personally — this structure ensures the assistance is applied immediately to resolve the arrears it was intended to cover.

Information for Landlords

Landlords who believe a tenant may benefit from this program are encouraged to share the program flyer directly with tenants, or simply let them know they can call 2-1-1 or text their zip code to 898211. As part of the tenant’s application, landlords will be asked to complete an online form confirming rental details. Once an application is approved, the FERA program issues payment to the landlord promptly — helping landlords recover unpaid rent without going through eviction proceedings. Other counties in Illinois operate similar dual-application structures; the Champaign County emergency rental assistance program uses a comparable application process for tenants and landlords downstate.

Other Illinois Rental Assistance Resources

If FERA funds in Lake County are exhausted, or if your situation doesn’t fit the program’s specific criteria, several other Illinois resources may be able to help:

• Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) — serves City of Chicago residents through the Department of Housing, covering up to 12 months of past-due rent and utilities.
• Champaign County rental assistance — administered through the Regional Planning Commission, with both online and paper application options.
• Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) — administers the broader statewide Emergency Rental Assistance framework that underlies many county-level programs, including FERA.

If you are currently facing eviction proceedings in Lake County, applying for FERA assistance and notifying your landlord of your pending application is an important first step. You should also review alternatives to eviction available in Illinois, including legal aid, mediation, and negotiated payment plans, which may provide additional protection while your application is processed.