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Rental Assistance Portal for Tenants in Union County Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic Now Open

Tenants can apply for assistance starting Aug 2; landlords must also register.

covid19 rental relief flyer covid19 rental relief flyer

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents that the Tenant Portal for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) opened for registration today, August 2. The ERAP will provide financial relief for Union County residents unable to meet their rental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program, eligible tenants can receive up to 12 months of assistance for unpaid back rent and utility bills.

Both landlords and tenants are required to register for this program in order to expedite the grant process. The application portal for tenants opened today, and tenants can register at ucnj.org/rental-assistance. The registration portal for landlords opened on Monday, July 26, and can be accessed by visiting: ucnj.org/rental-assistance.

The funds will be awarded to landlords and utility providers on behalf of tenants who are eligible for the grant.

“With the Tenant Portal opening today, we encourage renters within Union County experiencing difficulty paying their rent and utilities to register for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program as soon as possible” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Communication between landlords and tenants regarding ERAP relief is key to ensuring applications can be reviewed without delay.”

The landlord and the tenant portals will both remain open throughout the application phase of the program. The portals include guidance on assembling the information and documents necessary to apply for funding.

To qualify for Union County Emergency Rental Assistance funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Union County resident primarily responsible for paying rent;
  • Make less than 80% of the average median income of Union County (e.g., less than $78,500 for a family of four);
  • Experienced a loss of income since March 13, 2020 related to the Covid-19 pandemic;
  • Provide required supporting documentation (copies of identification, tax returns, lease or other proof of income/residence may be acceptable, etc.).

Once the application is submitted, applicants will be notified of the funding decision. If approved, the funds will be provided to the landlord or utility provider on their behalf.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is funded through the Federal CARES Act for COVID-19 emergency relief. Additional CARES Act programs created by the Commissioner Board include child care assistance for low-income families and respite assistance for those caring for children with special needs and disabilities, and as well as grants for libraries, schools, restaurants and other small businesses, and non-profit organizations.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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