Rent Relief

Overview and Eligibility

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), provides temporary economic relief to households that need assistance to pay rent and utilities due to hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility qualifications include that at least one household member:

• • Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19

  • Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and

  • Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

  • Additionally, the state recently included families whose income is between 80 and 120 percent of the area median income, to the eligibility criteria for ERAP

Households who meet the criteria can go to the application portal on the OTDA website https://nysrenthelp.otda.ny.gov/en/. For more information or questions, please contact the ERAP hotline Monday-Saturday, from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm at 1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368)