If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying rent or utilities, or if you have rent or utility arrears as a result of COVID-19 and live in Jefferson County, Missouri, assistance may be available through the Jefferson County Emergency Rental Assistance Program. If you or a friend or family member is having difficulty paying rent or utilities, and/or if you have rent or utility arrears as a result of COVI (ERAP).
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which was signed into law on December 27, 2020, introduced the Emergency Rental Assistance (“ERA”) program. This initiative makes $25 billion accessible to assist households that are unable to pay, or are having difficulties paying, rent and utilities as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The program was created to assist persons who were unable to pay their rent or utilities due to the pandemic. Jefferson County has received a total of $6,058,803.69 in these grants.
If you have a tenant who intends to apply for ERAP, we must have a completed Landlord Registration form in our files for you to be eligible for payment. Please click on the link provided below to complete the registration process. If you are applying on behalf of your tenants who are eligible for the program, go to www.mohousingresources.com/landlords to submit an application.
Check the Status of Your Application
Dashboard for the ERAP Program
Assistance is available
Households that qualify for help may be eligible for up to twelve months of support, plus an extra three months if the grantee determines that the additional months are essential to guarantee home stability and the grantee has finances available. Priority is given to the settlement of current housing-related arrears that could lead to the eviction of an eligible aid household. Before a qualifying household can get assistance for future rent payments, the household’s rental arrears must be decreased through the provision of aid. Grantees can only agree to provide rental assistance for a maximum of three months after a household’s rental arrears have been paid off. Households may reapply for additional assistance at the end of the three-month period if they are in need and have not exceeded the maximum amount of time that they have received assistance. The source is the United States Treasury Department.
Reasonable Attempts to Comply
The JFCAC will make every attempt to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. To receive support, please call 877-636-ERAP (3727). Even after submitting an ERAP application, acceptance into the program is not guaranteed. Each household will only be accepted for one ERAP application. Applications for the ERAP that are submitted more than once will be rejected.
Language Options – Individuals who do not speak English well should call the toll-free number 877-636-ERAP (3727) for assistance.
Questions That Are Frequently Asked
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM?
A “renter household” is regarded an “eligible household” if at least one member of the household meets one or more of the eligibility standards listed below:
- Individuals who have qualified for unemployment benefits or who have experienced a decrease in household income, significant costs, or financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19
- Involves a higher risk of experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity; and
- Holds a household income that is 80% or less of the area’s median income
I CURRENTLY RECEIVE RENT ASSISTANCE; WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS NOW THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
Any other form of federally funded rental assistance that may be offered to a qualifying house should not be regarded as a duplication of the services provided by this program.
IS IT TRUE THAT SOME PEOPLE GET PREFERENCE OVER OTHERS?
The database will establish your final priority order. Priority will be given to eligible households with an income that is at or below fifty percent of the area’s median income and households that contain an individual who has been unemployed for ninety days previous to applying for help.
HOW IS THE HOUSEHOLD’S INCOME DETERMINED?
To determine the household’s income, either the total income of the household for the calendar year 2020 or the monthly income of the household at the time of application will be considered. When utilizing the second approach to compute a household’s income, the household’s eligibility for certain benefits must be reevaluated every three months.
Items required for the processing of applications
You will be needed to give the following items during the application process:
- A list of everyone who is currently living in the house.
- If feasible, bring documents that can be used to identify each member of the family, such as driver’s licenses and social security cards.
- If the person is at least 18 years old, information about their income will be provided. Acceptable items include one’s 2020 tax return or the most recent sixty days’ worth of income sources that will be disclosed on a tax return.
- Evidence showing at least one of the individuals was unemployed or had their income cut as a result of COVID-19.
- Overdue bills for rent or utilities, as well as any eviction notices that may have been sent
- A copy of the lease agreement governing your rented space.
- Information about how to contact your landlord.
Income Limits for the ERAP Program
