First published 06/01/2021. Last updated 11/14/2021.
The NY ERA program helps pay the rent for eligible households which owe back rent. Both tenants and landlords can apply. Funds are limited, so if you are eligible, apply right away.
This article is specifically for NY State. For other states, see our general ERA post.
Apply Here!
The portal will close to new applications on 11/14/2021 at 10:00 pm. Those with household income between 80% and 120% AMI can still apply (as that is funded from separately allocated state funds)
UPDATES
- 10/22/2021: Federal funding provided to New York State for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is almost fully committed to eligible New Yorkers who applied. While applications are still being accepted by OTDA, funding is not likely to be available except in the categories below:
- Tenants in the following areas, where allocations have not yet been exhausted, are still encouraged to apply:
- Dutchess County
- Erie County
- Nassau County (not including the towns of Hempstead or Oyster Bay)
- Niagara County
- Oneida County
- Saratoga County
- Suffolk County (not including the towns of Brookhaven or Islip)
- Westchester County (not including the city of Yonkers)
- Households in any part of the state with income over 80 percent and up to 120 percent of area median income can still apply for state-funded emergency rental assistance.
- Landlords in any part of the state with a tenant who has declined to submit an application for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or has vacated with arrears, can still apply through the Landlord Rental Assistance Program.
- Tenants in the following areas, where allocations have not yet been exhausted, are still encouraged to apply:
- 10/07/2021: The Landlord Rental Assistance Program will provide assistance to landlords whose tenant has left an apartment in New York State with unpaid rental arrears or the landlord has a tenant with rental arrears who is residing in an apartment in New York State who refuses to apply for ERAP.
- 9/15/2021: The federally funded rental assistance program is only for households with up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI). New York expanded eligibility by allocating $125MM for those with a household income at 80%-120% AMI. Applications will be accepted beginning September 15. From 9/15-10/29 households with AMI between 80% and 100% AMI will be prioritized for processing. After October 29 (as long as there are funds remaining) all applications up to 120% AMI will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Table of Contents
What You Can Get
- Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
- Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30% or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent.
- Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
Payments will be made directly to the landlord/property owner and utility company on behalf of the tenant.
Eligibility
All of the following are required:
- Owes Rent
- The applicant is obligated to pay rent at their primary residence and has rental arrears (rent overdue) at their current residence for rent owed on or after March 13, 2020.
- Income Eligibility
- Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income (1040 Line 11 – Adjust Gross Income).
- New York State allocated $125MM of state funds for households with 80% AMI – 120% AMI to receive emergency rental assistance. From September 15 through October 29 they will prioritize processing applications from households with gross income between 80% AMI and 100% AMI. After October 29 (as long as there are funds remaining) they will process all applications up to 120% AMI on a first-come first-served basis.
- Household gross income is at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). These income limits differ by county and household size. A household may qualify based on current income or calendar year 2020 income (1040 Line 11 – Adjust Gross Income).
- Economic Hardship
- On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household had at least one of the following
- received unemployment benefits
OR - experienced a reduction in income
OR - incurred significant costs
OR - experienced financial hardship
Any of the above were directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- received unemployment benefits
- On or after March 13, 2020, a member of the household had at least one of the following
There are no immigration status requirements to qualify for the program.
Priority Applications
For the first 30 days of the program, priority will be given to households in the following order:
- Households with income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) that also include a household member who:
- Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or
- Is a veteran; or
- Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or
- Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or
- Resides in a mobile home; or
- Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (Check your ZIP Code); or
- Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.
- Households with income at or below 50 percent AMI.
- Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI that also include a household member who:
- Is currently unemployed for at least 90 days; or
- Is a veteran; or
- Is currently experiencing domestic violence or is a survivor of human trafficking; or
- Has an eviction case related to their current residence pending in court; or
- Resides in a mobile home; or
- Lives in a community that was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 (Check your ZIP Code); or
- Lives in a dwelling of 20 or fewer units.
- Households with income at or below 80 percent AMI.
After the first 30 days, applications for all eligible households will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds remain available.
Application Process
Note: Residents of City of Rochester and Monroe County, the City of Yonkers, Onondaga County and the towns of Hempstead, Islip and Oyster Bay apply with their local programs.
Apply Now!
Tenants
Tenants need to provide:
- ID
- For all household members
- Social Security Numbers
- For any household members who have been issued one. Individuals do not need to have a lawful immigration status to qualify for the program.
- Proof of rental amount
- Signed lease, even if expired – or other signed document from the landlord. If no lease is available then proof can be shown through a rent receipt, canceled check or money order. If no documentation is available, landlord attestation will be accepted.
- Proof of residency and occupancy
- Signed lease, rent receipt, utility bill, school records, bank statement, postal mail with the name of applicant, insurance bill, or driver license. Proof should be current.
- Proof of Income
- Documents demonstrating monthly income for the prior month, such as pay stubs, bank account deposit verification, unemployment benefits letter, or other proof;
OR - Documents demonstrating annual income for 2020, such as a W-2 tax form from an employer, an annual statement of earnings, or a copy of a completed income tax return, such as a 1040, 1040EZ, 1099 tax form, or other evidence of 2020 annual income.
Note: Self-attestation of income is permitted in certain circumstances where no documentation is available such as certain self-employment.
- Documents demonstrating monthly income for the prior month, such as pay stubs, bank account deposit verification, unemployment benefits letter, or other proof;
- Optional – Utility Bills
- Copy of gas or electric utility bill, if applying for help paying for utility arrears at the same rental unit.
Landlords
Landlords and property owners need to provide:
- Completed W-9 tax form.
- Executed lease with tenant applicant, or if there is no written lease, a canceled check, evidence of funds transfer or other documentation of the last full monthly rent payment.
- Documentation of rent due from tenant (e.g. ledger, etc.) or attestation on application.
- Banking information to receive direct deposit payment.
Landlord must also agree to the following terms as a condition of accepting rental arrears payments:
- The ERAP payment satisfies the tenant’s full rental obligations for the time period covered by the payment.
- Waive any late fees due on any rental arrears covered by the ERAP payment.
- Not increase the monthly rental amount above the monthly amount due at the time of application for ERAP assistance for months for which rental assistance is received and for one year from receipt of the ERAP payment.
- Not evict the household on behalf of whom the ERAP payment is made for reason of expired lease or holdover tenancy for one year from the receipt of the ERAP payment. An exception to this requirement shall be made if the dwelling unit contains four or fewer units and the property owner or owner’s immediate family members intend to immediately occupy the unit for use as a primary residence.
Application Assistance
- Phone: 844-691-7368
- Chat
- Helpful Videos:
- Understanding the NYS ERAP Program and Applying for Funding – Details the various application and documentation requirements and how to apply for ERAP.
- Navigating the ERAP Homepage – Overview of the ERAP Portal Homepage, and its navigation features.
- Using the Tenant Application and Uploading Documents – Step-by-step walkthrough of the application and document upload process.
- Understanding the Landlord Portal – Demonstration of the landlord portal, and associated features.
- NYC-Specific Assistance
Paid Service – For Landlords
We are also offering a paid service for landlords where we can help you and your tenants navigate the application and funding process.