COVID Rent Relief Program

Is rental assistance provided on a first come, first served basis?

The Covid Rent Relief Program is not first come, first served. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. HCR will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.

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What is the COVID Rent Relief Program?

The New York State Legislature established this program to help households experiencing an increase in their rent burden due to a loss of income during the COVID-19 crisis.

If I received unemployment benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, does that count towards my income for this program? 

Who is eligible for the COVID Rent Relief Program?

To qualify for COVID Rent Relief assistance, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility rules:

1. Have a primary residence in New York State.

2. Before March 1, 2020 and when a resident applies, their household income must be below 80% of the area median income for their county and household size. Applicants can find their county’s area median income, based on household size: https://www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county

Example: In Clinton County, the area median family income is $76,800. If you are a family of four, and your household income is below $58,950, your household would meet this criteria.

3. Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, your household must pay more than 30% of your gross monthly income for rent.

Example: Your monthly household income is $2,000. Thirty percent of your monthly household income would be $600, but you pay $700 a month in rent. Your household would meet this criteria.

4. Have less monthly income in any month between April 2020 and July 2020 than prior to March 1, 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

Example: If you are paid hourly and has had your hours reduced since April 1, 2020, or has lost employment, you would meet these criteria.

Am I eligible to receive this rental assistance if I currently have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or reside in public housing?

No. If a tenant is receiving a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher* for their housing costs or resides in public housing and their rent cannot be more than 30% of their income, the resident would not be eligible under the statute.

*For households that receive Section 8 vouchers: If their rent burden exceeds 30% of their income, and they have lost income in this period, the household should request an adjustment to their rental payment standard. Households can contact their voucher administrator to request an Interim Recertification.

If I’m eligible for the COVID Rent Relief Program, what assistance can I receive?

Eligible households can receive a one-time rent subsidy that covers the DIFFERENCE between their “rent burden” on March 1, 2020 and their “rent burden” for the months they are applying for assistance. Households may apply for one month or up to four months of assistance during this period. This one-time subsidy is paid directly to the resident’s landlord.

*Rent burden is the amount of monthly contractual rent that exceeds 30% of gross household income. 

Example: Prior to the COVID pandemic, your monthly household income was $2,000.  Your monthly rent is $700.  This means that on March 1, 2020, your rent burden was 35%.  Today, due to a reduction in hours, your monthly income has decreased to $1,400 and your rent remains the same.  You are now paying 50% of your monthly income toward rent.  You would be eligible for a subsidy that covers the 15% (50% - 35%) increase in your rent burden, or $210. This subsidy would get you back to your pre-March 1, 2020 rent burden of 35%.

Is there a maximum amount of assistance I can receive under this program?

There is a cap on the subsidy amount you can receive. For the purposes of calculating your assistance, your monthly contractual rent may not exceed 125% of the fair market rent per month for each month assistance is requested. Fair market rents are calculated by HUD, and can be located at the following link: https://www.hcr.ny.gov/rent-caps-125-fmr-crrp

Example: A resident living in a one-bedroom in Nassau County and pays $2,100 a month in rent.  The fair market rent for a one-bedroom in this county is $1,624. This household is still eligible for the subsidy, however, when their subsidy is calculated it will reflect a rent cap of $2,030, which is 125% of the fair market rent.

What income is included when determining my household income?

All income must be included when determining your household income.  Eligibility for this program is based on gross income*, rather than take-home pay. 

Under the statute, income includes salaries, wages, tips, recurring gifts, unemployment benefits and other government benefits for all members of a household. This also includes Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PAC).

Households do not have to include employment income for minor children under 18 years old, or for children who are 18 or older and full-time students. Households also do not have to include foster care payments or supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits (SNAP).

* If you are using your 2018 federal or state income tax return as proof of income, eligibility is based on adjusted gross income.

No, it does not count as income.

What time frame does the COVID Rent Relief Program cover?

Under the program, you must have less income in any month between April 2020 and July 2020 than you did prior to March 1, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  You are only able to receive the subsidy for the months of April, May, June and July.

How do I determine whether my household income is below 80% of the area median income?

HUD’s Area Median Income varies by household size and by county. You can find your county’s area median income, based on your household size: https://www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county

What if I receive public benefits or public assistance? Will I need to report any funds received from this program as income?

No. Any funds paid on behalf of a household will not be counted towards their annual household income for purposes of public benefits or other public assistance.

I am an immigrant.  If I receive COVID Rent Relief assistance, will this assistance subject me to a public charge determination?

It is unlikely that this assistance would be considered for public charge purposes. However, immigration and public charge analysis is very complicated.  You should consult with the Office for New Americans or an immigration attorney for assistance. 

Does my landlord have to accept the benefit?

Yes.  In 2019, Governor Cuomo signed legislation that prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on what funds they use to pay their rent. In most instances, this means that landlords and other housing providers are legally required to accept COVID Rent Relief Program.

New York State takes Source of Income discrimination very seriously. If a landlord refuses to accept this payment, residents can file a SOI discrimination complaint with the State Division of Human Rights at www.dhr.ny.gov/complaint

I have been selected to receive assistance. How will I know whether my landlord has received the benefit on my behalf?

Once an applicant has been selected to receive assistance, they will be notified simultaneously along with their landlord that the subsidy is being dispersed. 

This notification will include the amount of assistance, the timeline for receipt, and the method you have chosen to have additional funds credited to you, if you have already paid some or all of your rent.

I was notified that the COVID Rent Relief assistance was paid to my landlord. My landlord now claims that they never received assistance and is seeking to have me evicted.  What should I do?

It is important that applicants retain the notification that was sent advising that payment has been made to their landlord. This notice is a household’s evidence of payment. You may also contact the Call Center at (833) 499-0318 with issues regarding payment, including confirmation of issuance of payment.

Will I be notified if I am deemed ineligible for COVID Rent Relief assistance?

Yes.  You will receive a notification if you are deemed ineligible for assistance.

Do I have to tell my landlord that I applied for the COVID Rent Relief Program?

To prevent misunderstandings, tenants are strongly encouraged to communicate their inability to pay any or all their rent to their landlord as soon as they can and to notify their landlord that they have submitted an application. Both the tenant and their landlord will receive a notice when the funds have been disbursed.

Can I sign up to receive updates on the availability of the COVID Rent Relief Program?

Yes, to receive the most up to date information please click on the following link: COVID Rent Relief Program Updates

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Your check lists the first five tenants covered by the payments. For additional tenants, review the second sheet of paper in your mailing that identifies additional tenants and their associated payments. If you believe your tenant number exceeds five and cannot find the second sheet, please call the Call Center at 1-833-499-0318 or email [email protected] and request a call back from the Case Management team.