On May 7, the Department of Human Services reminded Pennsylvanians who need assistance paying utility bills and rent they can apply for help through the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

With federal funds allocated through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the Wolf Administration built the ERAP in partnership with the General Assembly through Act 1 of 2021 to distribute about $569 million to Pennsylvania households through partnerships with local leaders.

An additional $278 million in rental assistance was directly allocated to Pennsylvania’s largest counties by the federal government.

How To Apply

About two-thirds of Pennsylvania counties have partnered with DHS to make ERAP applications available to their residents online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

The remaining counties opted to accept applications from county residents through their own application process.

Residents of all counties can visit COMPASS for information on how to apply for ERAP, including residents of counties that have developed their own process.

If a person tries to apply through COMPASS but indicates that they reside in one of the 22 counties with its own application, they will be provided with information about how to apply, including a link to the county application if available.

Eligibility

Households may be eligible for up to 12 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments.

The amount of a household’s monthly rent or utility bills does not preclude eligibility, but the amount of ERAP assistance provided to a household is determined by program administrators at the county level.

Assistance can be provided to a tenant for future rental payments, and for unpaid rental or utility arrears that were accrued on or after March 13, 2020 on a residential rental property.

Counties may choose to provide additional assistance to eligible households if funds remain available.

To qualify for assistance, a household must be responsible to pay rent on a residential property and meet each of the following criteria--

-- One or more people within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in income, had increased household costs, or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic; AND

-- One or more individuals in the household can show a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; AND

-- The household has an income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county. Income limits by county are available on the DHS website. Resources (like bank accounts and cars) are not relevant to ERAP eligibility.

Applicants will need to provide the following information: head of household’s personal information; income information for all household members 18 and older; rental lease and amount owed; landlord’s name and contact information.

If applying for utility assistance, applicants must provide utility expenses and utility provider information.

ERAP will end when all funds have been expended.

DHS also encourages Pennsylvanians struggling to meet basic needs to apply for programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cash assistance, Medical Assistance and other programs, any time at www.compass.state.pa.us.

Visit the DHS Emergency Rental Assistance Program webpage for more information on this program.

NewsClips:

NPR: Federal Judge Strikes Down Federal Eviction Moratorium, Setting Up High-Stakes Appeal

PG: Effects Of CDC Eviction Moratorium Decision Unclear As Advocates, Landlords Fear Fallout

ABC27: Federal Eviction Moratorium In Legal Limbo; PA Tenants And Landlords Closely Watching

[Posted: May 8, 2021

5/10/2021