Commission on Economic Opportunity 

The Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program provides assistance to Wyoming County Households that are unable to pay rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Only rental households are eligible for assistance. (Homeowners are not eligible for assistance with mortgage or utility payments.)

CEO is processing applications on behalf of the Wyoming County Office of Human Services.

 

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

ELIGIBILITY: You must meet all eligibility criteria:

1. You must reside in Wyoming 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 $40,150 2 $45,900 3 $51,650 4 $57,350 5 $61,950 6 $66,550 7 $71,150 8 $75,750

 

 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  via Pennsylvania's COMPASS system - look for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program or print or download here.  The application must be signed (or e-signed) prior to submission.  The application is also available in Spanish, here.
2. Copies of state-issued photo identification for all adults in the household.
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. Complete and print or download here.
4. Documentation of ALL gross income, either your income* from past 30 days prior to application date or a copy of your filed 2020 Tax Return (IRS 1040).  W-2s are NOT allowable proof of income. 
   *Income includes 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 social security income (SSI), TANF, unemployment compensation, utility reimbursements, Veteran’s Disability, Veterans Pension, workman’s comp).   If you have zero household income, please complete the claim of zero income form.  
5. If requesting utility assistance, provide copies of the bills.
6. Applicant Certification must be signed and submitted.  Print or Download here.

 

 Information to be supplied by the landlord:

1.  W-9 Form -  Complete and print or download here.  Must be signed prior to submission.
2.  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.
3.  If you select to receive rental payments via ACH, please complete the ACH Authorization Agreement. Print or Download here.

 

All documents must be provided to CEO to begin the application process.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  To ensure you have everything, here’s a checklist to make sure!  (Lista de verifcacion)

All documents can be e-mailed to: ceorentrelief@gmail.com 

Or mailed to:

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

Or 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

If you  have questions, please call: 570-826-0510 and ask for the COVID Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance program.

 

Applications can be submitted via Pennsylvania's Compass system: www.compass.state.pa.us

Or completed on paper and mailed or emailed to: 

           ceorentrelief@gmail.com

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

If you  have questions or would like to request a paper copy of the application by mail, please call: 570-826-0510 and ask for the COVID Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance program.