Commission on Economic Opportunity 

 

 

  Programa de Asistencia para Alquiler de Emergencia

Wyoming County COVID Rent and Utility Assistance Program

Application Quick Links

 

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides assistance to Luzerne County Households that are unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Only rental households are eligible for assistance. (Homeowners are not eligible.)

This program is federally funded and we continue to receive ongoing guidance on program requirements.  This application and required documentation are subject to change based on federal guidance.

CEO is accepting applications on behalf of the Luzerne County Office of Community Development.

Please note, the ERAP program is open temporarily with limited funding available.

• If you previously received the maximum amount of rental assistance, you are not eligible
• Available funds are for rental assistance only, utilities are not eligible.
• Priority is given to renters with a magistrate eviction.

 

Please review the eligibility and application steps below before completing the application:

You must meet all eligibility criteria:

1. You must be a renter, residing in Luzerne County.

2. You must qualify for Unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.

3.  You must demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or loss of housing stability.

4. Your gross household income must be below the income levels noted below.

Household Size Maximum Yearly Income 1 $29,050 2 $33,200 3 $37,350 4 $41,500 5 $44,850 6 $48,150 7 $51,500 8 $54,800

 

 Application Process:

The following information is required to proceed with an application:

Information to be supplied by the renter:

1. Renter Application:  Complete Online here or Print or Download an Application Packet here.  Application must be signed or e-signed prior to submission.  All documents are uploaded as part of the online application and do not need to be completed or submitted separately.  Should you need to submit something separately, please email it to: ceorentrelief@gmail.com.  Please allow up to three weeks for application processing. 
2. Copies of photo identification for all adults in the household (front and back).
3. Copy of written lease or, if lease is a verbal agreement, you must complete the Landlord and Renter Certification, with both sections completed and two signatures. (included in the application package linked above)
4. Proof of the last rental payment.  The documentation provided must include the tenant’s name, date and amount of last payment, and a check number if payment was made by check. Acceptable documentation can include a cancelled check, payment ledger, dated and signed rent receipt or other documentation acceptable at the discretion of CEO.
5. Documentation of ALL gross income, either your income* from past 30 days prior to application date.
   *Provide ALL gross income, including earned (i.e. income statements, letter from employer, paystubs) and unearned (i.e. child support, private pensions, social security retirement, social security disability (SSD), supplemental security income (SSI), TANF, unemployment compensation, utility reimbursement, Veteran’s Disability, Veteran’s Pension, workers’ compensation). If you have zero household income, please complete the claim of zero income form.
6. If you choose to complete a paper application, Applicant Certification must be signed and submitted; it is included in the application package linked above.
   

To ensure you have everything, here’s a renter checklist to make sure!

Please note:  A maximum of 3 months of assistance can be requested at this time.  If you previously received the maximum months of rental assistance through this program, you are not eligible.   For more details, please refer to: Guidance on the maximum months of assistance.

 

 Information to be supplied by the landlord - You must ask your landlord to complete the application and provide the documentation outlined below:

1.  Landlord Application - Complete Online here or Print or Download an Application Packet here.  Must be signed prior to submission.  All documents are uploaded as part of the online application. Should you need to submit something separately, please email it to: ceorentrelief@gmail.com.  Please allow up to three weeks for application processing. 
2. Copy of state-issued, photo identification (front and back). If the property owner is an LLC or you are the managing representative for the owner, please provide both the management agreement, or proof of LLC ownership, along with your photo ID as the applicant. 
3. W-9 Form -  is included in the Landlord Application packet linked above.  Form must be signed prior to submission.
4.  Proof of ownership of the rental unit.  
   *Acceptable proof of ownership documents include but are not limited to a copy of the property deed, sales contract, most recent property tax receipt, a copy of the mortgage, or proof of homeowner’s/hazard insurance from the most recent year.
5. Either you or your tenant must provide the following:

              Copy of written lease or, if lease is a verbal agreement, you must complete the Landlord and Renter Certification, with both sections completed and two signatures; the form is included in the Landlord Application packet linked above.

               Proof of the last rental payment.  The documentation provided must include the tenant’s name, date and amount of last payment, and a check number if payment was made by check.  Acceptable documentation can include a cancelled check, payment ledger, dated and signed rent receipt or other documentation acceptable at the discretion of CEO.

        5.  If you select to receive rental payments via ACH, please complete the ACH Authorization Agreement, which is included in the Landlord Application packet linked above.

To ensure you have everything, here’s a landlord checklist to make sure!

 

All documents must be provided to CEO to begin the application process.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  

If you opt to complete a paper application, the entire package must be either mailed or dropped off.

Mail to:

Commission on Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 1126
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-1126

Drop-off: Please place your documents in an envelope and address it to COVID Rent and Utility Assistance.
     165 Amber Lane, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Drop-off at the door, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am until 5 pm

 

Please allow up to two weeks for application processing. If you  have questions, please call: 570-826-0510 and ask for the COVID Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance program or email ceorentrelief@gmail.com.