Ocean County, NJ Residential Emergency Rental Assistance Program
How Does it Work?
Fill out the online application using Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
Applicants must prove their income is below the limit and that they were unable to pay the rent owing to COVID-19.
To complete your application, you must also supply a current lease/rental agreement and all relevant papers.
The applicant’s landlord must participate in this program to get rental assistance. To get cash promptly, tenants and landlords should apply jointly.
So apply early.
A RERAP award covers up to 12 months of rent arrears plus three months of projected rent, up to a maximum of $26,610.
Unless roommates have separate leases, just one application per family.
Tenants’ landlords can apply.
An application does not guarantee help.
Awarded rental assistance goes directly to the landlord.
For assistance, please contact (833) 753-9671.
What are the income requirements?
Annual household income must be equal to or less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
What do I need in order to apply?
Tenants submitting applications for their household, as well as landlords submitting applications on behalf of their tenants, must attach the following documents:
- An attestation signed by the applicant or other pertinent paperwork establishing eligibility for unemployment benefits.
- Notification of delinquent rent or an eviction notice.
- Attestation in writing and accompanying documents based on I total household income in 2020 or (ii) monthly income extrapolated over a 12-month period.
- Income qualification determination letter from another government agency dated on or after 1/1/2020
Here are the documents you need:
List of acceptable documents
Choose one of the following to prove your identity:
- Valid driver’s license with a photograph
- Current non-driver identification card, or a Learner Permit with a picture identification card issued by the federal government.
- Permanent Resident Card of the United States
- Employment Authorization Card for the United States
- Certificate of Naturalization in the United States
- Passport of the United States
- Passport from a country other than the United States and a valid work visa
To prove your income (for everyone above the age of 18 in your household):
- 2020 W-2 2020 IRS Form 1040 from 2020 taxes
- Bank Account Statements (last 60 days, showing reduction in salary)
- Employer’s Letter (for decreases in income, layoff, closures)
Other Sources of Income (provide copies of award letters)
- Unemployment
- Disability
- SSI
- Support for Children
- VA TANF Benefits
- Pension Insurance (Compensation for Workers’ Compensation)
Other rent assistance that your family has received since April 7, 2020, including the organization that assisted, the amount of aid, and the number of months of support. If you have been without income for a period of time, you must complete a Self Attestation (See form on this County webpage)
Additionally, tenants will require the following:
- Lease Agreement Executed
- If you do not have a lease agreement, you must obtain a signed statement from the landlord indicating who resides in the apartment and how much rent you pay each month.
- Notice of delinquent rent (s)
- Notice of Eviction
- Landlords will also require the following: W-9 NJ Business License
Additional forms to strengthen your case
Landlord Certification
Self-Certification of Landlord-Tenant Relationship
Self-Certification of No Income
Self-Certification of Risk of Homelessness or Housing Instability
Self-Certification of Unemployment, Decreased Income, Increased Expenses