What is the Emergency Rental
Assistance Program (ERA)?
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) is a fund authorized by the U.S.
Department of Treasury Emergency approved by the Board of County Commissioners on
March
9, 2021 to provide Palm Beach County residents with rental and utility assistance
who
are affected, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19 who are at risk of being homeless.
The ERA funds are newly issued and have rigorous eligibility requirements,
necessitating
a thorough documentation and screening process.
This program is for rental and utility assistance for renters only. Resources for home owners
financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are
not
covered with this funding.
WARNING: Section 1001 of Title
19
of the U.S. code makes it a criminal offense to make willful false statements or
misrepresentation to any department or agency of the United States as to any matter
within the jurisdiction. False information may result in civil liability, and/or in
criminal penalties including, but not limited to, fine, imprisonment or both.
*This information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.
DIRECT LINKS TO Q&A SECTION
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Eligible Palm Beach County tenants who experienced a loss of income as a direct
result of
COVID-19 are eligible for assistance with rent and utilities (electric, water, and gas).
Tenants renting their family’s home, with a mortgage, will not be eligible for ERA
assistance.
What are the benefits of the ERA program?
The ERA benefits:
- Households may receive up to 12 months of utility assistance for their
rental
unit. If utilities are paid for by the landlord these utility expenses shall
be
covered as rent payments.
- Households may receive up to 12 months of rental assistance.
- An additional 3 months of assistance may be considered, if it is determined
that
the extra months are needed to ensure housing stability, and if funds are
available.
Assistance must be provided to reduce a household’s arrears before the household may
receive assistance for future rent payments.
Assistance for future rental payments is only for up to three months at a time.
Households may reapply for additional assistance at the end of the three-month period
if
necessary and the overall time limit is not exceeded. All required documentation
must be
uploaded for each reapplication.
Rental payments are made directly to the landlord.
Utility payments are made directly to the utility company.
How are applicants prioritized?
Households are prioritized if they are:
- at or below 50% AMI
- have been unemployed for more than 90 days, or
- have evidence of housing instability
What are the eligibility application
requirements to receive
ERA rental and utility assistance?
It is important to read the application requirements
carefully to avoid delays when applying for assistance.
A household may be eligible if they meet the following:
- One or more household members experience a financial crisis caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic, directly or indirectly.
- Financial crisis directly related to COVID-19 examples
include:
- Reduction or loss of income
- Lost employment
- Qualified for unemployment
- Financial crisis indirectly related to COVID-19 include:
- Increase in expenses due to COVID-19
- Responsible for caring for children/grandchildren at home
- Caring for or being a high risk individual
- One or more household members can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing
instability. Examples of proof of risk are:
- Eviction notice
- Past due rent notice
- Past due utility bill
- Utility disconnect notice
- The total household income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Households with 50% or less of Area Median Income will be given priority, as
well
as, households that have at least one individual
- who has been unemployed for 90 or more days
| Household / Family Size |
ELI 30% |
VLI 50% |
LI 80% |
|
1
|
$18,450 |
30,750 |
49,200 |
|
2
|
$21,100 |
35,150 |
56,200 |
|
3
|
$23,750
|
39,550
|
63,250
|
|
4
|
$26,350
|
43,900
|
70,250
|
|
5
|
$30,680
|
47,450
|
75,900
|
|
6
|
$35,160
|
50,950
|
81,500
|
|
7
|
$39,640
|
54,450
|
87,150
|
|
8
|
$44,120
|
57,950
|
92,750
|
|
9
|
$48,600
|
61,500
|
98,350
|
|
10
|
$53,080
|
65,000
|
104,000
|
- Households receiving funding or subsidy under any other federally funded rental
assistance program, for example Section 8, HUD Housing or public housing may be
eligible for this assistance. Individuals residing in subsidized housing must
provide:
- Proof of assistance received from such programs; and
- Proof of rental reduction request to its Housing Authority
- Income for all adult household members ages 18 and older must provide proof of
income to determine eligibility. Proof of income can include:
- Total household income for 2020 (adjusted gross Income under IRS form 1040
series) OR
- Total household income for the two months prior to the submission of the
application
- Income and household composition must be recertified for each 3-month period
after the initial assistance application.
What documents does an applicant
need to provide when applying
for the ERA program?
Applicants must provide the following documents in order to apply for services.
Note: Applications will be returned to applicant or rejected if all required
documents are not submitted.
|
LIST OF ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION
|
DOCUMENTATION SAMPLE
|
|
Proof of COVID-19 Financial Crisis (Direct or Indirect)
(Applicant Only)
Must Submit At Least One
|
Direct Impact:
- At least two paystubs, one paystub before COVID-19 and one current
(most recent) paystub during COVID-19 showing reduced hours (Note:
Paystubs must show your name)
- At least two bank statements with transaction history that shows
your income (deposits) before COVID-19 and one current bank
statements that shows your reduced income (deposits) during COVID-19
– Bank statement must include your name
- Lost employment, like a letter from employer Note: letter or email
must have Tenant’s name
- Evidence for Loss of Income if Self-Employed
- Qualified for unemployment— Unemployment award letter/statement from
Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) with unemployment amount
and date range during COVID-19, after March 2020
- Any other verifiable document(s) that demonstrates a loss of income
due to COVID-19, document must include your name
Indirect Impact:
- Increase in expenses due to COVID-19
- Responsible for caring for children/grandchildren at
- home
- Caring for or being a high risk individual
- Proof of lost/reduced child-support due to COVID-19 impact
|
Unemployment letter
Paystub after COVID-19
|
|
Valid Government Issued ID
(Applicant Only)
|
- Passports
- Driver’s License
|
Passport
|
|
Social Security Cards and Numbers
(SS Card Applicant Only
SSN All Household Members)
|
- Social Security Number & Card-applicant only
- Social Security Numbers for all other household members
(Note: Social Security cards from all household members may be
required by Case Manager during eligibility review.)
|
Social Security Card
|
|
Proof of Income
(All Adult Household Members 18 years old and older)
Must Submit At Least One
|
- Last Pay Stubs
- Bank Statements Prior to COVID-19 Crisis
- Last filed Tax Return if Self-Employed
- Total household income for 2020 (adjusted gross -Income under IRS
form 1040 series)
- Total household income for the two months prior to the submission of
the application
- Categorical Eligibility: Determination letter from the government
agency that verified the applicant’s household income at or below
80% AMI on or after January 1, 2020.
- Examples of Government Agencies:
Note: Additional information may be required by
Case Manager during eligibility review.
IF NO PROOF OF INCOME see relevant Question/Answer below.
|
Last paystub
|
|
Proof of Residency
Must Submit At Least One
|
- Driver’s License with rental address
- Recent utility bill – applicant’s name must be on the bill
- Mail from a Government Agency-applicant’s name must be on the
letter/envelope
|
Driver’s license (address must match rent agreement/lease)
|
|
Applying for Rent
Must submit ALL of the items listed.
|
- Rental Lease Agreement (must be current,
not expired)
Note: The rental
balance sheet will be submitted by
the landlord
upon the
county's request. If Landlord is not registered as a vendor
with Palm Beach County, Applicant must provide
landlord’s e-mail address. The County will email a link to the landlord
to register. The Landlord will also certify the balance statement.
|
Sample of Balance Statement
|
|
Households receiving funding or subsidy under any other federally funded
rental assistance program i.e. Section 8, HUD Housing, Public Housing
Submit only if applicable.
|
- Proof of assistance received from such programs (tenant portion
identified)
- Proof of rental reduction request to its Housing Authority
|
|
|
Applying for Utility Payment
Must submit ALL of the items listed for each
utility type request:
Electric, Water, Gas.
|
- Dates of service for past due bills, after March 2020
- Final Notice (if applicable)
- Disconnect Notice (if applicable)
Note: Applicant’s
or household member’s name must
be on the bill or relationship to applicant must be included in the app.
|
Electric bill sample – No screenshots allowed
|
|
Evidence of risk of homelessness or housing instability
Submit only if applicable.
|
- For rent assistance request: documentation of current lease
agreement and balance statement completed by Landlord
- For utility assistance: documentation of past due bills or
disconnection notice with dates of service after March 2020
|
See rent and utility assistance sample documentation.
|
How is a household defined?
An applicant applies for the household. A household is defined as all persons living
under one roof.
Can I apply for ERA if I receive
subsidize housing
assistance?
Households receiving funding or subsidy under any other federally funded rental
assistance program i.e. Section 8, HUD Housing, Public Housing may be eligible for
ERA
assistance. However, households need to provide:
- Proof of assistance received from such programs (new tenant portion identified)
- Proof of rental reduction request to its Housing Authority
Do I have to repay the ERA
funds?
No, the ERA assistance does not have to be paid back, however, fund distribution is
reported to the IRS.
What are other resources if I am
denied
ERA assistance?
For crisis non-COVID-19 related, log in to OSCARSS and select “Apply for Services”.
For other resource referrals, including mortgage assistance, contact 211.
How can landlords become vendors
with
Palm Beach County and what documentation do they need to provide?
Landlord/vendor shall have 14 days to register as a vendor with Palm Beach County. If
vendor does not comply with the established timeframe, the application shall be
returned
to the client. Landlords can apply at
https://pbcvssp.co.palm-beach.fl.us/webapp/vssp/AltSelfService
Documents Required: Signed Balance Sheet AND Lease Agreement.
NOTE: Payments to Property Manager requires proof
with Landlord signature authorizing
property manager to accept payment.
Who may I contact with additional
questions?
If you have further questions, please contact our Call Centre at (561) 355-4792.
GENERAL APPLICATION QUESTIONS
What if I am having trouble applying for
services?
How can I verify the status of my
application?
To verify the status of an application, visit CSD's Client Services Search at
www.pbcgov.com/clientservicessearch or directly through the
application portal at www.rentalassistancepbc.com
Once the application is reviewed, you will receive an email for any pending
documentation. Pending documents will also be listed in your application when you
log
in.
Applicants are encouraged to check their emails regularly and to maintain a valid
phone
number on file, as reviewers make contact by email, and they send important updates
regarding applications.
How long does it take to process the
application?
If you are eligible and the application and balance statement from the Landlord are submitted without issue, the approval process may take up to 6 weeks before the Landlord receives payment.
How do I check the status of my
application?
You may check the status of your application by logging to your account.
Applicants are encouraged to check their emails regularly as reviewers make contact
by
email, and they send important updates regarding applications. To verify the status
of
an application, visit CSD's Client Services Search at www.pbcgov.com/clientservicessearch or directly through the
OSCARSS portal at www.pbcgov.com/OSCARSS
Can I apply over the phone?
No. You must apply thru online application and upload required documentation to
determine eligibility for the approval process. If you need assistance applying for
services, you may contact one of the five non-profit organizations that are
available to
assist you in person and help with entering and submitting your application online.
See
list under the question Who can help me apply for services?
Who can help me apply for services?
Applications are available online at www.rentalassistancepbc.com and accessed through any
internet
connection. Additionally, CSD partnered with five non-profit organizations that can
also
assist clients by providing navigation services. Visit their websites or call for
more
information and/or to make an appointment.
<<Click to print table below
for
Non-Profit Organization ERA Application Assistance>>
|
Non-Profit Organization ERA Application Assistance
|
| Agency Name |
Location |
Phone |
Email |
Adopt-A-Family
Family Division of the Lewis Center |
1000 45th St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33407 |
(561) 904-7900 |
https://www.aafpbc.org/ |
| Farmworker Coodinating Councel of Palm Beach County, Inc. |
Lake Worth Office
1123 Crestwood Blvd.
Lake Worth, FL 33460
|
(561) 533-7227 |
http://www.farmworkercouncil.com/ |
| Farmworker Coodinating Councel of Palm Beach County, Inc. |
Belle Glade Office
233 W. Ave. A Suite D.
Belle Glade, FL
33430 |
(561) 992-2160 |
http://www.farmworkercouncil.com/ |
| Palm Beach County House Authority |
3432 45th St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33407 |
(561) 684-2160 |
http://www.pbchafl.org/ |
| Pathways to Prosperity, Inc. (P2P) |
970 N Seacrest Blvd
Boynton Beach, FL 33435 |
(561) 736-1111 |
https://pathwaysboynton.org/ |
| The Lord's Place Prevention Team |
2808 N Australian Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33407 |
(561) 537-4652
(561) 494-0125
ext. 1115
|
https://thelordsplace.org/ |
| *Visit the agency's website for more information and to make
an appointment. |
Unable to register for OSCARSS
account?
Email CSDCares@pbcgov.org. (CSD Cares Lead will
verify if there’s an existing account
and/or technical issue and handle accordingly).
Unable to Sign In?
Unable to upload documents?
Assume they submitted the
application,
but left it on Draft?
The applicant should log back into their account and click “Submit”.
What do the icons mean in the
Application Status?
What do the Status Definitions mean?
- Submitted-Applicant has submitted their application.
- Review in Process-Caseworker or reviewer is reviewing the
application to
ensure
all requirements have been met and all documents have been provided.
- Accepted-Caseworker or reviewer has confirmed application
requirements have
been
met and sent application to Fiscal (Finance) for review and payment
processing.
- Pending Payment-Finance has created the invoice for payment.
Payment will be
processed and mailed/paid within 10-15 days.
- Paid-Landlord or Property Management Company has received
payment.
Need clarification on the documents
requested by the Case Manager
Want to know if the landlord cashed
the
payment?
How do I communicate with the case
manager?
How do I reset my password?
How do I calculate income,
particularly self-employment
The OSCARSS application will provide computerized calculations after the requested
information is entered.
What if I have no proof of income and no
one in my household has proof of income?
In the rare case that an applicant and their entire household does not have proof of
income, in OSCARSS the applicant will be prompted to complete the Self-Attestation Zero
Income Declaration Form:
-
Check two certification statements
-
When the Applicant checks “I Certify that I have Zero Income to report” this
certification statement, the following question pops up “Do you receive a Local,
State, or Federal Government Assistance Program (EX. SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc) Yes or
No”
If applicant answers Yes - Supporting Document will be required for the Applicant Local,
State, or Federal Government Assistance Program (EX. SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc)
If applicant answers No - The Applicant must enter the responses to these questions:
- Please explain where you worked prior to the COVID-19 Crisis:
- Please explain the situation for not being able to provide traditional methods of
proof of income:
- Household Income Amount for Last 2 Months
- System will generate the CSD ERA Self-Attestation Form
Please note that if an applicant has no proof of income, if they are eligible for this
program, the rental amount will only be paid up to the Fair Market Rate (FMR) for their
zip
code.
Self-Attestation Zero Income Declaration Form
Total Household Income = Zero; Applicant fills Self-Attestation Zero Income Declaration
Form
The Income and Calculated AMI% will show in the Income Portion of the Review/View on all
screens
Self-Attestation Zero Income Declaration Form will be a Supporting Document
What if the household has income, but
there are members who do not have income?
In cases whereby the household does have an income, but there are individual household
members who do not have an income, the household members without an income will be asked
to check off the Self-Attestation Certification checkbox.
Self-Attestation Certification Checkboxes
All Adult Household Members with Zero Income, Applicant Certifies that they have Zero
Income
The Income and Calculated AMI% will show in the Income Portion of the Review/View on all
screens
These Certifications will Display in the Review and in the View on all screens where
Applications are reviewed and/or viewed
Am I eligible to get assistance for the
residence that I don't reside in anymore but still have arrears?
Yes. A former tenant will need to complete a separate application for the arrears from
the residence they no longer live. If rental assistance is needed for the current
address, again, a separate application will need to be completed. The total rental
assistance cannot exceed 12 months, or 15 months in special situations. System only
allows one active application. Applicant has to wait to submit second application for
the rent until the first application is fully approved for the benefit.
As with any rental assistance we provide with the ERA funds the landlord would need to
approve the balance statement and agree to be PBC vendor.
Can I apply for relocation expenses,
like first, last and security deposit?
Yes. The ERA funds will cover relocation expenses, however the total months of service
for all rental assistance, regardless of the address cannot exceed 12 months, or 15
months with special consideration. Applicants may be assisted with relocation expenses,
which may include deposits, first and last month. Applicants requesting relocation
expenses must meet the eligibility criteria for the program. The eligibility criteria is
the same for all ERA funded services, and is listed above. A lease for the new unit is
required. The landlord will be required to submit a balance statement through the
OSCARSS application portal. Landlord/Tenant will be required to return the security
deposit if client moves out of the dwelling. If there are other rental arrears or
utility payments for another address, that must be a separate application. Applications
for relocation expenses must be in its own application separate from any other request
for services.
Applying for Services as a Tenant
How do I apply for rental and/or utility
assistance as a
Tenant?
Tenants may applying online at www.www.rentalassistancepbc.org. and www.pbcgov.com/oscarss.
Once the tenant submits
the application the landlord will receive an email prompting them to register with the
County as a vendor and complete
all required forms.
Applications can be accessed through any internet connection. CSD staff may assist you
by calling (561) 355-4792.
Applicants can save their online application and return to it at a later date to
complete and submit.
NOTE: Please ensure your mailing address remains up to date. Check your address by
logging in to your account at www.rentalassistancepbc.org.
Applications can be accessed through any internet connection. CSD staff may assist you by
calling (561) 355-4792.
Applicants can save their online application and return to it at a later date to
complete and submit.
NOTE: Please ensure your mailing address remains up to date. Check your address by
logging in to your account at
www.rentalassistancepbc.org
Applying for Services as a Landlord
Having trouble uploading the W9 to
your
registration?
Where is the link to register as a
Landlord?
