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Community Development - FERA

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1. What is the Lake County Rental Assistance Program?

The Lake County Rental Assistance Program helps low-income Lake County, IL renters that have a financial hardship during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  Eligible applicants can get help in the form of financial assistance for rent.

2. Who is eligible?

You may be eligible if:

• You pay rent in Lake County, Illinois
• You must have had a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic (job loss, furlough, increased utility bills, unexpected medical bills or other expenses). 
• Your household has a current annual household income below the following amounts:
  • 1 Person Household: $58,350    
  • 2 Person Household: $66,700
  • 3 Person Household: $75,050
  • 4 Person Household: $83,350
  • 5 Person Household: $90,050
  • 6 Person Household: $96,700
  • 7 Person Household: $103,400
  • 8 Person Household: $110,050

3. Can I receive a check from this program?

No. Rent and utility payments will be made directly to your landlord or utility company.

4. How much assistance can I get?

You can get up to 6 months of assistance with your rent. This can include up to three months of future rent. No household can receive more than six months of assistance total, including assistance from past programs like the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program.

5. How do I apply to the program?

You can apply online at LakeCountyIL.gov/renthelp. You will need to fill out an application and attach proof of your eligibility. If you have questions, you can call 211 to speak with someone who can help. If you need help with your application, you can call 211 for a referral to a provider that can help you.

6. What if I don’t have a computer or internet access?

If you don’t have a computer or internet access, you can go to a community agency that has computers or devices for you to use. Call 211 to get a referral to a community agency.

7. What documents will I need?

You will need proof of all eligible factors, including proof you are renting in Lake County, proof of your financial hardship during COVID, proof you are at risk of housing instability or homelessness, and proof of your income.  You will also be asked for a government-issued photo ID.  If you are not sure if you have the right documents, call 211 to get connected to someone who can help.

8. I don’t live in Lake County. Can I get assistance?

This program is for units in Lake County only. If you are moving into Lake County and have a signed lease on a unit in Lake County, you may apply for assistance. You may not receive assistance on any unit outside of Lake County, Illinois.

9. I own my mobile home but pay lot rent. Can I get assistance with the lot rent and utilities?

Yes, if you pay lot rent in Lake County, this counts as an obligation to pay rent in Lake County.

10. I own my home or pay a mortgage. Can I get assistance with my mortgage or utilities??

No, if you aren’t a renter, you are not eligible for assistance through this program. If you need help, call 211 for a referral to a different program that can help you.

11. What Counts as a Financial Hardship during COVID-19?

You may have a COVID-related financial hardship if:

• you or someone in your household was laid-off, furloughed, or had hours cut at work.
• you or someone in your household had to work fewer hours or quit to stay home to care for a child because the child’s school or daycare shut down.
• you or someone in your household incurred significant costs due to COVID-19, such as medical bills or funeral costs.
• There may be other circumstances that count as well. Call 211 if you have questions about your eligibility.

12. What Counts as being “At Risk of Homelessness or Housing Instability”?

You may be at-risk of homelessness or housing instability if:

• you have a past-due rent or utility notice
• you have an eviction notice
• your household had to move in with another household temporarily because you couldn’t afford rent in your home.
• you are currently homeless, such as staying at a shelter.
• your household is spending a lot of your income on housing costs.
• There may be other circumstances that count as well. Call 211 if you have questions about your eligibility.

13. Do I have to be behind on my rent?

No. If your application is approved, you can get help with up to three months of your rent, even if you don’t have a past due balance.

14. Can I get help with both my rent and utilities?

No, the Lake County Rental Assistance Program only provides assistance for rent. If you need additional assistance with your utilities, call 211 to be connected with someone that can help.

15. What happens after I apply?

• You will receive an email stating that you submitted an application.
• Your application will be assigned to an LCRA provider who will process our application and verify the information, including verifying your residence and rent amounts with your landlord.  Your LCRA provide will contact you as part of this process.
• Once your application is approved or denied, your LCRA provider will contact you to let you know.
• The funding will be sent directly to your landlord.

16. Can I apply to every agency?

You will only be able to apply once. 

17. Will I receive assistance as long as I am eligible?

Assistance is not guaranteed for every Lake County resident that is eligible. Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance. 

18. Do I need a formal rental agreement or lease to qualify for the program?

In most cases, you will need a lease. If you don’t have a lease, you may be eligible if you are able to prove that you were paying rent prior to your financial hardship. If you are not sure if you can prove you are paying rent, talk to 211 or a Lake County Rental Assistance Program provider to see if you have the right documents.

19. Can I apply if I’m renting a room?

Yes. You will need to provide proof that you are paying rent on that room.

20. Can I receive assistance if I have section 8 or other subsidized housing?

Yes. FERA will only help with the portion of your rent or utilities that you pay each month. If you reduced your income, make sure to notify your housing provider that your income has changed. After you notify them, you can apply for FERA. If your income has not changed but you need help paying your rent because of a large unexpected cost due to COVID, you can also apply to FERA.

21. I received a referral from 211 and have not heard back from the agency yet.

Please wait 10 days to hear back from the agency. If you have not yet heard back after 10 days, please call the agency that you received a referral for. The agency’s phone number can be found by going to 211LakeCounty.org and typing the agency’s name into the search box about halfway down the page.

22. Can I be eligible if I lost employment before COVID? The pandemic made it difficult to find employment.

Yes. If you qualified for unemployment after March 13, 2020, you can be eligible for the Lake County Rental Assistance Program even if you were already receiving unemployment benefits before March 13, 2020.

23. I received assistance a few months ago and I need more help.

If you received less than 6 months of assistance from the Federal Emergency Rental Assistance (FERA) Program, then you may be eligible for additional assistance through the Lake County Rental Assistance Program. If you received more than 6 months of FERA assistance or assistance from ILRPP, then you will not be eligible for the Lake County Rental Assistance Program. If you need additional assistance, please call 211.

24. I’m homeless. Can I receive assistance?

If you meet all eligibility criteria, you may receive assistance on a security deposit and rent in a new unit. You must have a signed lease in order to qualify for assistance.

25. I’m a landlord, am I eligible to apply for my units?

No, but you can help your tenants apply. If you are a landlord, your tenant will need to qualify for the program and agree to submit an application. If you talk to your tenant and they agree to apply, you can fill out the Landlord Application. When you fill out the Landlord Application, an email will be sent to your tenant. That email will have an application that your tenant needs to fill out and submit.