COVID-19 Rental Assistance Coming For Jefferson Families

Russ Crespolini
Updated ·3 min read

JEFFERSON, NJ - Families worried about how to pay the rent during the COVID-19 pandemic may have help coming to them as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program opens enrollment July 6.

According to officials, the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) will provide temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details:

  • Applicants may be eligible for a maximum of up to six months of emergency rental assistance. The assistance will be capped at DCA’s fair market rent standard or the total of the rent, whichever is lesser.

  • All participants will be reviewed at the three-month interval to see if they are still in need of assistance.

  • Persons applying must meet all applicable CVERAP income and eligibility requirements.

  • You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor.

  • Only one pre-application per household will be accepted. All participants will be selected through an online lottery process.

  • The enrollment period is 9 a.m. Monday, July 6 until 5 p.m. Friday July 10.

  • Completion of this pre-application does not guarantee placement in the COVID-19 ERAP.

Anyone selected for the program must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a gross, annual household income that is at or below the maximum income limits for the county where they are residing

  • Be a New Jersey resident and rent a unit in New Jersey

  • Rent must be current as of March 2020; this program will not assist with arrears

  • Have a substantial reduction in income or are currently receiving unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Have a lack of assets and savings to pay rent

  • Will pay a minimum of 30 percent of their income towards the rent

  • Anyone currently receiving a subsidy from another rental assistance program or living in Public Housing is ineligible

HOUSEHOLD LIMITS

In Jefferson, the household limits are $54,950 for one person, $62,800 for two people, $70,650 for three people, $78,500 for four people, $84,800 for five people, $91,100 for six people, $97,350 for seven people, $103,650 for eight people.

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION REQUIRED

Names, birthdates, income and assets information for all individuals living in the household. An email address is also required. If you do not have an e-mail address, the application process will allow you to create one. If you are not proficient in English, the CVERAP pre-application is available in 90 languages; this information can be found starting on July 6 at 9 a.m.at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NJ559-2809, at the top right of the pre-application. This link will not be accessible before July 6 at 9 a.m.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will extend reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals, and persons who have limited English proficiency on a case-by-case basis and will take into consideration the disability and the need(s) of the individual(s) or those households without internet access. Please call DCA’s Applicant Service Unit at 609-292-4080, Option 1 or 8, to request an accommodation.

LOTTERY PROCESS

A computerized selection (lottery) process will be used to select eligible applicants. Every application submitted during the open enrollment period has the same chance of being selected during the lottery.

Officials noted that submission of a CVERAP pre-application does not guarantee placement in the program, or a COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program temporary subsidy.

Those looking to apply can do so on the website starting 9 a.m. on July 6.

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This article originally appeared on the Jefferson Patch