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What is the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and how may it help?

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The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was created to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. $25 billion in funds are being provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and Indian tribes (described as “eligible grantees”) to help fund this initiative.  If you were unable to pay your rent or utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on your location, there may be assistance for you.

Find Rental Assistance Programs for your state.

Who is eligible for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program?

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in which, at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

  1. Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
  2. Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability;
  3. Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median; and
  4. Is in a location supported by the Rental Assistance Program.

How much aid can eligible households receive?

Eligible households may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months if an eligible grantee determines the additional months are needed to ensure housing stability and if grantee funds are available.

What should I do if I’m still having trouble making rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Federal, state, and local governments are offering assistance with housing bills, utilities and avoiding eviction. Click the links below for more details:

We hope these resources are helpful to you and your friends or family. In addition to these resources, Mariner Finance has also teamed up with SpringFour to help you discover even more ways to seek assistance.

If you are a Mariner Finance customer, please don’t hesitate to contact your local branch so they are aware of your current situation.

The information provided in this article does not constitute financial advice and is provided for educational purposes only without any express or implied warranty of any kind. This article is not intended as legal, tax, investment, or any other advice, and Mariner Finance does not offer credit repair services. Consider talking with an appropriate qualified professional for specific advice. Blog posts are for informational purposes only.