Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Frequently Asked Questions for Renters

Who is eligible for this program?

Residential renters and their landlords. Renters of commercial property are not eligible.

Does this program provide mortgage assistance?

No, this program provides residential rental assistance. Homeowners who are not landlords who are in need of mortgage and/or utility assistance are encouraged to visit their local community action agency for assistance. A listing can be found at: https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/community-action-agencies.

Who can apply?

Either a landlord or a tenant can initiate an application, but both will need to participate in the application process.

• If a tenant initiates an application, the tenant will provide the landlord’s email address and the landlord will receive an email notification requesting they register or login to finish the application.
• If a landlord wishes to initiate the application, the landlord will register in the portal. Once the registration is approved, the landlord can initiate an application and provide the tenant’s contact information. The tenant will receive an email to finish the application. Eligibility is based upon the tenant’s income and COVID-19 related hardship.

How do I determine how many individuals are included in my household?

A household is defined as all persons occupying the same housing unit, regardless of age and/or relationship to each other.

What is included when determining my household income?

Countable income for purposes of determining eligibility for the ERAP include:

• Income from employment, including self-employment (includes wages, salaries, tips, etc.) as evidenced by a 1099 tax form or pay stubs
• Income from Social Security benefits
• Income from Unemployment Insurance, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation 
• All other consistent income received from other sources

All income from all household members who are 18 years or older is included in determination. Earned income of minor children is not considered as part of total annual household income.

If I receive SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance or TANF Cash Assistance benefits, does that count toward my income for this program?

No.

Am I eligible if I or a member of my household has previously or is currently receiving other rental or utility assistance?

If you or a member of your household received or is currently receiving benefits from another rental or utility assistance program for the same period and same purpose as requested in the ERAP application, you will not be eligible for benefits. 

Additionally, If you are a tenant in federally subsidized housing whose rent is adjusted according to changes in your income, you may only receive assistance for the portion of your rent that is not subsidized. Examples of subsidized housing may include:

• Project Based Section 8 
• Project-Based Rental Assistance
• USDA Housing Voucher

Do I qualify if I was unemployed or experienced a reduction in income prior to March 13, 2020?

No. The reduction in income must be either directly or indirectly related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Am I eligible for assistance even if I have moved to a different rental unit since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency?

There is no requirement for the length of stay in a rental unit to be eligible to receive assistance.

Can I receive benefits through the ERAP if my residence is on Tribal territory?

Please contact your Tribal Social Services office for assistance.

If I don’t have a written housing agreement but am still renting, am I eligible to receive assistance?

No. Occupying a rental residence is considered a valid and current tenancy only if there is a written agreement, such as a lease.

Who Can Apply & What is Needed

Tenants: Tenants may start their own applications, but the landlord or utility company’s contact information will be required in order to complete the application. Additionally, the landlord or utility provider will be contacted by DES and will need to register their banking information through the application portal.

Landlords: Landlords may begin applications on behalf of their tenants acting as co-applicants. However, the tenant’s contact information will be needed in order to complete the application. Additional information from the tenant including their income and other documentation will need to be provided. Landlords applying on behalf of their tenants will be required to provide a copy of the application to the tenant.

What documents are needed to apply?

Required documents include:

1. A photo ID of the primary applicant
2. Lease or housing agreement that matches the applicant and landlord names 
3. Utility bills if applying for utility assistance (Most recent bill showing past due amount if applying for arrears assistance; 3 months’ worth of utility bills if applying for future assistance)
4. Proof of income for all household members above the age of 18 which may include: 
   
   • Most recent 60 calendar days’ worth of paystubs for all members of the household from the date of application; 
   • Tax documents for calendar year 2020 which may include:
     
     1. 2020 IRS Form 1040
     2. 2020 Form 1099
     3. 2020 IRS Form W-2
   • Social Security checks, if applicable
   • Current Pension/Retirement Benefit letter, if applicable
   • Child support or alimony statements, if applicable
   • Unemployment Insurance statements, if applicable
   • Current Annuity Payment letter, if applicable
   • Statements from any other type of ongoing household income aside from TANF Cash Assistance or SNAP benefits
5. Documentation or written explanation of financial hardship due to COVID-19. Examples of documentation may include:
   
   • Notice of eviction 
   • Past due notice of rent or past due utility bill 
   • Shutoff notice from utility company 
   • Proof of unsafe living conditions
6. If applying for future assistance, verification of payment of previous months (arrears balance), which can be in the form of a current statement.

Which utilities are eligible for financial assistance under the Program?

Eligible utilities include electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash removal. Telecommunication services, such as telephone, cable, and internet service costs are NOT eligible for assistance.

What file types can be uploaded?

PDF or JPEG files can be submitted. If a document is unclear, the agency will contact you to resubmit the information.

What happens if there are questions about my application?

The ERAP Specialist working on your application may need further information or income verification prior to determining eligibility. If this happens, the Specialist will send a request through the online portal or contact you by phone. If there is no response or income verification provided within 21 calendar days, the application will be closed. You can reapply if this happens.

Will I be notified if I am determined to be ineligible for assistance?

Yes, you will be notified by email if you are ineligible and you may view the reason by logging into the portal.

Will I be notified if I am determined to be eligible for assistance?

Yes, you will be notified if you are eligible to receive assistance through the ERAP and will receive an email with confirmation a payment was made to the landlord or utility company.

If you are receiving assistance for rent and utility arrearage payments, they may be made in a lump sum, one-time payment amount and may be applied for rent and utility payments due no earlier than March 13, 2020.

If you are receiving assistance for rent and utility future payments, you may receive up to 3 consecutive months after which additional application materials may be required for continued benefits.

What are the various application statuses I might see when applying for the portal?

What happens after I’ve received 3 consecutive prospective/future months of benefits?

If you wish to receive additional assistance after the third month of benefits is received, you will have to provide documentation demonstrating that you are still financially eligible for the program. You will also be required to provide proof of the previous payment made to credit your rent or utilities.

How will I receive the assistance?

The assistance will be paid directly to your landlord or utility provider who will receive a direct deposit into their bank account.

Will I need to report any funds received from this program as income?

No. Any funds received under this program cannot be counted as income for the tenant’s tax reporting or for purposes of determining eligibility for any other public assistance programs. It is considered income to the landlord and landlords will be issued a 1099 form for 2020.

Can I be reimbursed for rent already paid to my landlord?

No. Payments are made directly to the landlord for delinquent and past-due rent only.

How will my application information be used or shared?

Information provided on your application will be used for purposes of determining eligibility for rental or utility assistance under the ERAP. Your sensitive information will be protected at all times. Demographic information provided may be used for reporting purposes to the U.S. Department of Treasury. In accordance with the law and in an effort to prevent eviction, some information may be shared with Arizona Courts.