Am I eligible to receive rental assistance?

Emergency Rental Assistance can help renters who are unable to pay their rent and utilities during the pandemic. Expenses from March 13, 2020 forward may be covered. Eligible renters must meet of the requirements:

• Combined household income at or below 80% of area median income. To determine if a household is eligible use this link https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html#2020_query 

• Someone in the household has qualified for unemployment, or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship during the pandemic

• Household is experiencing housing instability (for example, received a past-due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, or living in unsafe or unhealthy living conditions) 

• Applicant resides in the household and is on the lease

Applicants may be prioritized and expedited if they are: 

• Unemployed for at least 90 days, or

• At or below 50% area median income

How do I apply for rental assistance?

1. Gather the documents listed in the “documentation” section above. Scan or take photos of the documents so that you can upload them in the online application.
2. Click “apply” and then select “I am a Renter,” if you are a tenant seeking to have your rent paid. If you are a landlord applying on behalf of your tenants, click “I am a Landlord.”
3. Fill out each field as required and upload the required documents as requested and submit the application.
4. Due to the volume of applications, it may take more than two weeks to process your application. If there is a problem with your application, a worker will call you. You will be notified by email when your application has been approved or denied.

What can I submit for income documentation?

The preferred income documentation is your 2020 IRS Form 1040. If you don’t have an IRS Form 1040 series for 2020, you can use your W-2 Form for 2020. Please provide the W-2 forms for each member of the household over age 18.

Also, please provide check stubs, wage statements, bank statements demonstrating regular income, or an attestation from employers for all jobs worked for all members of the household over the age of 18 for the last 30 days.

If some or all of your household’s income is not verifiable due to the impact of COVID-19 (i.e., because a place of employment closed) or has been received in cash; or if your household has no qualifying income, you may provide a written statement regarding household income as part of the online application.

Is funding still available? 

You may have heard that funding was limited or there were limits on how much funding you could receive.  We have received additional funding and have millions of dollars available to help individuals who are struggling with paying their rent.  We encourage you to apply today.