Arizona Rental Assistance
The DES Emergency Rental Assistance Program currently provides rent and utility assistance to COVID-19-affected renters in Arizona. Eligible households can receive up to $3,500 per month in combined rent and utility assistance for up to 18 months, totaling $63,000 in benefits. This 18-month total is made up of half and complete months from the past, present, and future (this includes all rental assistance payments). After 18 months of ERAP benefits have been distributed, no further assistance can be provided.
What is DES?
DES stands for the Department of Economic Security (DES) in Arizona. Its primary role is to help residents seeking unemployment benefits and access to social services. DES plays a pivotal role in providing support to individuals and families in need.
Arizona’s Department of Economic Security offers a range of programs aimed at assisting residents with various social services, including unemployment benefits. Individuals need to familiarize themselves with the DES programs available to ensure they can access the support they require during challenging times.
On February 12, 2022, the arizona program became available to the inhabitants of Phoenix.
Residents of the City of Phoenix who have previously applied for and received emergency rental assistance or utilities through the City of Phoenix or Wildfire are not eligible for the DES ERAP program.
Applicants can call (602) 534-2433 if they have any queries about their current application.
Renters in Maricopa (excluding City of Phoenix residents), Pima, and Yuma Counties are not eligible for rental assistance through this program, but they may be eligible for other city or county-run programs. More information about these programs can be found in the section below titled “Other City and County-Operated Programs.”
Utility-Only Assistance: Renters in ALL 15 Arizona counties can apply for utility-only assistance through the ERAP portal’s Easy Apply feature.
Eligibility
A renter can get help with rent and utilities if they live in a certain area and can meet the following federal requirements:
- The following show that the renter is at risk of being homeless, having unstable housing, or living in a dangerous place:
- Notice to vacate
- Notice of utility shutoff
- Past due rent notice
- Past-due utility notice
- Any other sign of living conditions that are unsafe, unhealthy, or unstable
- The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the renter or a member of the renter’s family.
- The renter’s household income is less than or equal to 80% of the median income for the area (AMI)
The maximum household income for the Arizona Rental Assistance Program is 80% of the area median income (AMI).
| Household Size (Persons) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTY | 1 PERSON | 2 PERSON | 3 PERSON | 4 PERSON | 5 PERSON | 6 PERSON | 7 PERSON | 8 PERSON + |
| Apache | $28,950 | $33,100 | $37,250 | $41,350 | $44,700 | $48,000 | $51,300 | $54,600 |
| Cochise | $35,200 | $40,200 | $45,250 | $50,250 | $54,300 | $58,300 | $62,350 | $66,350 |
| Coconino | $43,050 | $49,200 | $55,350 | $61,450 | $66,400 | $71,300 | $76,200 | $81,150 |
| Gila | $31,300 | $35,800 | $40,250 | $44,700 | $48,300 | $51,900 | $55,450 | $59,050 |
| Graham | $35,950 | $41,050 | $46,200 | $51,300 | $55,450 | $59,550 | $63,650 | $67,750 |
| Greenlee | $37,250 | $42,600 | $47,900 | $53,200 | $57,500 | $61,750 | $66,000 | $70,250 |
| La Paz | $29,400 | $33,600 | $37,800 | $42,000 | $45,400 | $48,750 | $52,100 | $55,450 |
| Maricopa | $44,250 | $50,600 | $56,900 | $63,200 | $68,300 | $73,350 | $78,400 | $83,450 |
| Mohave | $31,200 | $35,650 | $40,100 | $44,550 | $48,150 | $51,700 | $55,250 | $58,850 |
| Navajo | $29,050 | $33,200 | $37,350 | $41,500 | $44,850 | $48,150 | $51,500 | $54,800 |
| Pima | $38,450 | $43,950 | $49,450 | $54,900 | $59,300 | $63,700 | $68,100 | $72,500 |
| Pinal | $44,250 | $50,600 | $56,900 | $63,200 | $68,300 | $73,350 | $78,400 | $83,450 |
| Santa Cruz | $28,950 | $33,100 | $37,250 | $41,350 | $44,700 | $48,000 | $51,300 | $54,600 |
| Yavapai | $35,750 | $40,850 | $45,950 | $51,050 | $55,150 | $59,250 | $63,350 | $67,400 |
| Yuma | $30,250 | $34,600 | $38,900 | $43,200 | $46,700 | $50,150 | $53,600 | $57,050 |
*Applications from households with income below 50% AMI will be prioritized for processing.
​​Instructions on How to Apply for Rental Assistance in Arizona
Applicants can apply for assistance with their rent and utilities from the convenience of their own homes by utilizing the ERAP online application platform. Applicants who are unable to submit their applications online may submit paper applications or call the ERAP helpline at 1-833-912-0878. (see “Frequently Asked Questions for Renters” for links).
Renters who are interested in receiving rental assistance will be required to provide a copy of their lease or rental agreement, a photo identification, utility bills, a notice of disconnection (if any), proof of income, an eviction notice (if applicable), and proof or an explanation of their hardship, such as a letter from their landlord terminating their tenancy. The inability to present the necessary documentation could cause a delay in the determination of eligibility.
Easy Apply: Starting today, applicants requesting assistance with only their utilities can take advantage of our new Easy Apply system! Easy Apply is an application that has been streamlined to make it easier for renters to acquire the assistance they require with their utility bills. Tenants are needed to hand over a copy of their most recent utility bill and answer a few quick questions on their eligibility. There is no requirement for joint applications to the landlord.
​​Details Regarding the Payment
Households that meet the requirements are eligible for assistance with their rent and utility bills totaling up to $3,500 per month for a maximum of 18 months, for a total of $63,000 in benefits. This total of 18 months incorporates partial and full months from the past, as well as those from the present and the future (this includes all ERAP assistance payments). When the benefits from the ERAP for 18 months have been paid out, there will be no more support available.
It is possible to make payments to the renter directly, the utility provider, or the landlord (if the landlord is a member of the scheme) (if the landlord does not complete the application and participate in the program).
Appeals
In the case that you are denied rent or utility assistance, you have the right to file an appeal. This can be done by filling out the ERAP & LIHWAP Appeal Request form and submitting it within sixty days from the date of the verdict.
Anti-fraud measures
Before applying, DES will use the identity verification technology ID.me to validate the identities of prospective tenants and landlords who are interested in renting or buying a property to cut down on fraud. Applicants will be alerted through the mode of communication that they have indicated as their preference with a special link and step-by-step instructions on how to use ID.me during the application process.
In the event that tenants are unable to use ID.me to verify their identities, they have the option of submitting a paper application together with a picture identification card provided by the government. Before submitting the landlord company’s tax and banking information, representatives and workers of the landlord firm can utilize the website ID.me to authenticate their identities.
Reporting fraud can be done online or by calling the Department of Economic Security’s fraud hotline at (800) 251-2436 or (602) 542-9449 if the individual or landlord has reason to believe that they may have been the victim of identity theft that was used to file a false application for rental or utility assistance. When you report possible fraudulent activity, we ask that you have the necessary identifying information ready to provide so that we may more easily locate the application in our systems.
Removal Prevention
The purpose of establishing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) was to prevent tenants from experiencing housing instability as a result of the issues caused by COVID-19. Tenants and/or landlords receive direct compensation for delinquent and qualifying rent assistance payments for the months that have gone by.
For this reason, ERAP requires participating landlords to promise NOT to evict renters for non-payment for at least 30 days after receiving payment, or to delay or dismiss active lawsuits against tenants. In addition, ERAP stipulates that landlords cannot dismiss renters for nonpayment for at least 30 days after receiving payment.
In cases that have already been brought to court, landlords may also be eligible for a $500 reimbursement of their legal fees. Regarding promoting housing stability for Arizona residents, we actively encourage landlords to become ERAP partners.
Is there a change in the status of the moratorium on evictions?
The moratorium on evictions enforced by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States was overturned on August 26, 2021, by the Supreme Court of the United States. This suggests that rent-defaulting tenants may be vulnerable to eviction.
There are various programs to aid you if you are in danger of getting evicted. One of these is the Emergency Rental Aid Program, which assists with rent and utility payments to eligible households.
If you seek legal assistance in connection with a potential eviction, please visit https://azevictionhelp.org (the link goes to an external website) and https://clsaz.org/. (link is external).
Other Programs Operated by Local Municipalities and Counties
Residents of Maricopa, Pima, and Yuma counties are not eligible for rental assistance through the Department of Economic Security’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. However, these residents may be eligible for similar programs sponsored by their respective cities or counties. The application procedures for these programs are included below for your convenience.
| City/County | Website | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Pima County | https://tucsonpimaep.com/ | |
| Tucson | https://tucsonpimaep.com/ | |
| Yuma County | https://www.wacog.com/ycerap/ | (928) 782-1886 |
| Glendale | www.glendaleaz.com/cap | (623) 930-2854 |
| Chandler | https://azcend.org/community-action-program/ | (480) 963-1423 ext. 118 |
| Mesa | https://www.mesaaz.gov/government/mesa-cares | (480) 644-5440 |
| Gilbert | https://www.gilbertaz.gov/residents/community-and-neighborhood-services/… | |
| Maricopa County *All cities besides Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Chandler, Gilbert |
https://hsdclientportal.maricopa.gov/ |
Please contact us
Contact the Emergency Rental Assistance Program by dialing 1-833-912-0878, which is a toll-free number. The call center’s hours of operation are as follows: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Denise Madison, age 34, is an expert in housing policy and rental assistance. Denise earned her Master’s in Public Administration from McGill University, focusing her thesis on the effectiveness of rental assistance programs in major Canadian cities. After graduation, she worked with the Canadian government before transitioning to a consulting role in the United States, aiding in the enhancement of federal housing policies and programs. Denise is known for her practical workshops and seminars aimed at landlords and tenants, fostering better understanding and compliance with housing laws. When not at work, Denise cherishes time with her husband and their three young children, exploring the outdoors and teaching them about the importance of community involvement.
I live with my boyfriend for about 3 years now we have been getting notices of eviction due to the economy has been hard for him to work there’s not really been much work out there because he’s been having vehicle problems I have no way of pain the red we’re about to be taking a court now and our power is also about the attorney office or water and we don’t know what to do they don’t want to lose at home we also want to be stuck on the streets please help