FREQUENT QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A COVID-19 CVERAP PHASE II PRE-APPLICATION?

The submission of a pre-application is the first step to being considered for emergency rental assistance. All pre-applications submitted will be entered into a lottery. A computerized selection process (lottery) will be used to select eligible applicants. Every pre-application submitted during the open enrollment period has the same chance of being selected during the lottery.

Applicants selected in the lottery will be notified through email. Selected pre-applications will be invited to complete a full eligibility application to determine program eligibility. With the full application documentation will need to be provided by the applicant in order to verify eligibility into the program documentation may be requested

WHEN CAN I SUBMIT A PRE-APPLICATION FOR COVID-19 CVERAP PHASE II?

The CVERAP2/EPP is currently closed to new pre-applications as funding has been fully obligated. If you have submitted a pre-application for CVERAP2/EPP prior to the closing of the waiting list and are contacted by DCA, please follow the application instructions you are given.

If you have not previously submitted a pre-application and are in need of help in paying rent arrears or future rental assistance, you may submit a pre-application here to be considered, in the future, if DCA receives additional funds. You should also submit a self-certification for protection from eviction at https://nj.gov/dca/ - those whose income is below 120% of Area Median Income may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-August 31, 2021; those whose income is 80% of Area Median Income or below, who have experienced impact from covid, and who have submitted an application for rental assistance (including a pre-application here) may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-December 31, 2021.

Please note that any pre-application submitted at this time will not be considered unless additional funds become available.

HOW DOES THE LOTTERY WORK?

A computerized selection (lottery) process will be used to select eligible applicants. Every pre-application submitted during the open enrollment period has the same chance of being selected during the lottery. Priorities in selection will be given to household who meet the following criteria:
The gross annual income of the household does not exceed 50 percent of the area median income for the household. 1 or more individuals within the household are unemployed as of the date of the pre-application for assistance and have not been employed for the 90- day period preceding such date. In addition to the above prioritized conditions, the NJDCA will reserve the right to have other preferences .

WHAT ARE THE HOURS THAT THE WEBSITE WILL ACCEPT COVID-19 CVERAP PRE-APPLICATIONS?

The CVERAP2/EPP is currently closed to new pre-applications as funding has been fully obligated. If you have submitted a pre-application for CVERAP2/EPP prior to the closing of the waiting list and are contacted by DCA, please follow the application instructions you are given.

If you have not previously submitted a pre-application and are in need of help in paying rent arrears or future rental assistance, you may submit a pre-application here to be considered, in the future, if DCA receives additional funds. You should also submit a self-certification for protection from eviction at https://nj.gov/dca/ - those whose income is below 120% of Area Median Income may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-August 31, 2021; those whose income is 80% of Area Median Income or below, who have experienced impact from covid, and who have submitted an application for rental assistance (including a pre-application here) may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-December 31, 2021.

Please note that any pre-application submitted at this time will not be considered unless additional funds become available.

DO I HAVE TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT AT https://njdca.onlinepha.com?

Applicants selected from the lottery will have the opportunity to check back on the status of the application by visiting https://njdca.onlinepha.com/en-US/ERAPStatus/Home/CheckStatus. There is no need to create an account as long as you have your application ID and date of birth that was used to submit your application.

IF MY PRE-APPLICATION IS SELECTED, DO I AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE?

No, DCA (Department of Community Affairs) needs to review all your documentation that you submit to determine your eligibility.

I DO NOT HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS. HOW DO I SUBMIT MY COVID-19 CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION?

You cannot apply without an email address. You must obtain a valid email address to submit an pre-application. There are many free email services such as Yahoo, Gmail, and Hotmail. If you require a reasonable accommodation to assist in applying, you can call customer service at 609-490-4550.

CAN I USE MY SMART PHONE, IPHONE, ANDROID TABLET OR OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICE WHICH HAS AN INERNET CONNECTION TO MAKE AN PRE-APPLICATION?

Yes, if you can navigate to the website https://njdca.onlinepha.com and enter all the information from your device, you can use it.

DO I HAVE TO ENTER NAMES AND INCOME ON MY COVID-19 CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION?

Yes. You must answer all the questions and complete all the required fields in the pre-application and full eligibility application, if selected through the lottery. Your full eligibility application must list all the members of your household and all your household’s income including, but not limited to: Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), pensions, child support, alimony, unemployment, temporary disability, wages, self-employment earning, etc.

CAN I PRINT MY COVID-19 CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION?

Yes, you can print the pre-application before submitting it. Applications will only be accepted online. The DCA will extend reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals, and person 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.

I DON’T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME WHERE CAN I GO TO COMPLETE MY COVID-19 CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION?

Please call 609-490-4550 for assistance.

I WAS ON THE WEBSITE AND STARTED TO COMPLETE MY CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION. I LOST THE INTERNET CONNECTION IN THE MIDDLE. HOW DO I GET BACK?

If you did not receive a confirmation receipt, you will need to start your pre-application again from the beginning.

THE WEBSITE IS UNAVAILABLE AND I CANNOT ENTER MY CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Please re-try after a few minutes.

CAN SOMEONE ELSE SIGN UP FOR ME?

You will need to include the name, phone number and email of the person who assisted you on the pre-application.

HOW DO I REQUEST A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION DUE TO A DISABILITY?

If you are disabled and need help applying for assistance, DCA will extend reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis and will take into consideration the disability and the need(s) of the individual(s). Our written policy is in our Administrative Plan which can be viewed online at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/publications/.(opens in a new tab) Please contact DCA’s Customer Service number at 609-490-4550, for reasonable accommodations, including persons with limited English proficiency.

I DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH OR DON’T SPEAK ENGLISH WELL ENOUGH TO COMPLETE THE CVERAP PRE-APPLICATION. CAN I GET AN PRE-APPLICATION IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE?

Yes, the pre-application is available in multiple languages.

What should I do now that the portal is closed if I still owe my landlord money?

If you have not previously submitted a pre-application and are in need of help in paying rent arrears or future rental assistance, you may submit a pre-application here to be considered, in the future, if DCA receives additional funds. You should also submit a self-certification for protection from eviction at https://nj.gov/dca/ - those whose income is below 120% of Area Median Income may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-August 31, 2021; those whose income is 80% of Area Median Income or below, who have experienced impact from covid, and who have submitted an application for rental assistance (including a pre-application here) may be eligible for permanent protection from eviction for rental arrears accrued March 2020-December 31, 2021.

EXACTLY HOW LONG WILL THE COVID-19 CVERAP ASSIST WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE?

Maximum assistance with arrears is 18 months. The applicant’s arrears (retrospective to March 13, 2020) will be paid first, with the remainder available for future rent (through December 2021). Rent will be capped at 125% of the area Fair Market Rent.

For households that are unable to provide adequate verification of rental obligations and rely on self-certification, the NJDCA (New Jersey Department of Community Affairs) will pay a monthly maximum of 100% of the greater of the FMR (Fair Market Rent) or Small Area Fair Market Rent for the area in which the applicant resides.

HOW SOON WILL I RECEIVE MY ASSISTANCE?

Pre-applications will be reviewed in accordance with the lottery and priority system. We are unable to provide an estimated timeframe for payment should your pre-application be selected and approved.

SHOULD I STOP PAYING MY RENT AS SOON AS I AM SELECTED FOR THE LOTTERY?

No, if you can pay all or part of your rent, you should continue paying until you are notified by DCA that you have been fully accepted into the program and that DCA has issued a rental payment to your property owner. If you pay rent for a month that will be covered by this program, your property owner will be required to provide a credit for future rent due for that payment.

WILL THE HOUSING ASSITANCE GO DIRECTLY TO ME?

No, it will go directly to your property owner. However, it is a violation of NJ Law Against Discrimination for a landlord not to accept payments as stated below:

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), enforced by the Division on Civil Rights(opens in a new tab), prohibits discrimination and harassment in housing based on the source of lawful income a tenant uses to pay rent, including the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP). That means that a landlord cannot refuse to accept CVERAP, refuse to fill out or send in the paperwork that is required for CVERAP, or threaten or attempt to evict someone because they seek to pay rent with CVERAP. Violating the LAD may subject a landlord to civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation in addition to money damages to the tenant. Visit https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcr/downloads/fact_SOI.pdf(opens in a new tab) to find out more about the LAD’s protections for people receiving rental assistance. .

WILL AWARD LETTERS BE MAILED OUT TO BOTH THE TENANT AND LANDLORD?

Notification of benefits will be provided to both the tenant and the landlord.

I HAVE TAKEN OUT A LOAN TO HELP PAY RENT. I'VE BEEN NOTIFIED BY MY LANDLORD THAT THEY HAVE JUST RECEIVED PAYMENT FOR ARREARS. WILL MY LANDLORD PAY ME BACK FOW WHAT I'VE PAID SO THAT I CAN REPAY THE LOAN?

Your landlord could take your current and prior payments and move them to future payments and use the NJDCA funds received for the arrear months they are originally intended to pay for."

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN ASSISTING ME WITH MY RENT AND ARREARS. NOW, I HAVE JUST RECIEVED AN NJDCA PAYMENT. AM I ABLE TO PAY BACK MY FAMILY WITH THIS FUNDING THAT CAME LATE? DO I NEED TO RETURN THE NJDCA FUNDING IF MY LANDLORD WILL NOT RECEIVE THE FUNDS?

No, the NJDCA funding cannot be given to anyone but your landlord. Your landlord can choose to reallocate your current and prior payments to future obligations in order to utilize the NJDCA funds for the arrears months that they were originally intended to pay for. Yes, the NJDCA funds will need to be returned if the landlord will not receive them.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PHASE II?

Households who live in New Jersey who:
1. Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a significant reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship during the COVID-19 outbreak.
2. Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
3. Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. .

CAN I MOVE OUT OF THE UNIT IF I RECEIVE ASSISTANCE?

No.

CAN I APPLY FOR OTHER RENTAL ASSISTANCE WHILE BEING ASSISTED FROM THE COVID-19 CVERAP PHASE II?

Yes, you can apply for other rental assistance, but if awarded CVERAP, assistance will cease if awarded other rental assistance from another source. Households who receive a subsidy from other rental assistance programs such as Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) or Public Housing will not be eligible to receive CVERAP assistance if the assistance results in duplicative benefits for the same months of assistance

DO I NEED TO HAVE LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECCEIVE ASSISTANCE?

No. Households do not need to have a legal immigration status to qualify for the program.

CAN I APPLY FOR CVERAP IF I OR A MEMBER OF MY HOUSEHOLD OWES MONEY TO DCA OR IF I OR A MEMBER OF MY HOUSEHOLD WAS TERMINATED BY DCA FOR PROGRAM VIOLATIONS?

Yes, you can apply and if you are selected in the lottery, DCA (Department of Community Affairs) will review your case to determine if you are eligible for assistance.

WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED WHEN I SUBMIT MY APPICATION, ONCE MY PRE-APPLICATION IS SELECTED THROUGH THE LOTTERY?

Once your pre-application has been selected, you will be invited to complete a full eligibility application. At that time, the following documentation will be required.

Identity Verification (at least one of the following documents for all household members)

• Driver’s license
• birth certificate
• passport
• State or county -issued ID
• Social Security Card (if a Social Security card has been issued to household member)

Active Renter Evidence (only one document per household needed)

The NJDCA will require self-attestation as evidence of active renter status and may accept the following docs as additional forms of verification:

• Signed lease, tenant agreement or property owner certification
• Documentation of residence, including utility bills, attestation by a property owner who can be identified as the verified owner or management agent of the unit
• Other reasonable documentation

Income Verification (at least one of the following documents for all household members)

The NJDCA will require self-certification of the applicant or head of household’s income information. The NJDCA may accept the following documentation as additional verification of income:

Annual Income

• Most Recent Tax Return (1040, 1040EZ, etc.)
• Most Recent W2 from Employer
• Most Recent 1099 Tax Form
• Other evidence of annual Income (e.g., wage statement, interest statement, unemployment compensation statement)

OR

Monthly Income

• One (1) Pay stub, at minimum, for wages dated within the last 30 days, from the time of full eligibility application
  • Documentation must demonstrate a full months’ worth of consecutive pay
• Social Security benefit letter identifying 2021 award
• Unemployment benefits letter dated with the last 60 days (about 2 months)
• Child Support Payment Report from the New Jersey Department of Human Services
• Letter from parent payment child support for Child Support payments made outside of the NJ (New Jersey) Department of Human Services. Letter must be dated within the last 60 days (about 2 months)

Proof of Rent Arrears (if applying for arrearages)

If applicants are requesting assistance with rent arrearage, applicants or their landlords may rely on self-attestation to verify proof of rent arrearage. Additional allowable documentation to verify rent arrearage includes:

• Lease and Past Due Notice
• Notice of rent arrears issued by the rental property owner
• Eviction Notice
• Summary Process Summons and Complaint identifying the applicant(s) as the Defendant(s)/Tenant(s)/Occupant(s), which sets forth a hearing date within thirty (30) days is required as proof of rent arrearage.

Evidence of Financial Hardship, such as a reduction in income or incurring significant costs, eitherdirectly or indirectly due to the COVID 19 outbreak (only one document per household needed)

Reduction of Income:

The NJDCA will require self-attestation to verify a reduction in household income and may accept the following documents as additional form of verification:

• Letter from employer stating reduced wages, termination, or furlough.
• Layoff letter from employer
• Unemployment letter dated on or after 3/13/2020.
• Print out from Unemployment on benefits received in the last 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks).
• Notice of business closure on employer website.
• Letter from healthcare provider stating youwere sick and unable to work.
• Letter from workforce solutions
• If unable to provide verification of a reduction of income from source, a self-certification attesting to the reduction, will be permitted

OR

Evidence of Significant Costs/Expenses (if applicable)

Significant costs are defined as any expense over $50.00

he NJDCA will require self-attestation to verify significant costs and may accept the following documents as additional form of verification:

• Healthcare costs, including care at home for individuals with COVID-19
• Adverse healthcare impact/Increased healthcare costs (medical bills, receipts, etc.)
• Expenses incurred due quarantining or social distancing as mandated by employer (computer equipment, internet expenses, etc.)
• Expenses for childcare due to school closures because of COVID-19
• Remote learning expenses due to COVID-19
• Purchase of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Funeral costs for deceased family members due to COVID-19
• Penalties, fees, and legal costs associated with rental or utility arrears
• Payments for rent or utilities made by credit card to avoid homelessness or housing instability
• Alternative transportation for households unable to use public transportation during the pandemic

Evidence of Risk of Homelessness (only one document per household needed)

• An eviction notice
• A past due utility or rent notice for charges incurred after March 2020
• Living in unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, such as conditions that increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19 because of overcrowding (examples include condemnation order from the Board of Health or a Failed Inspection Report)
• A housing cost burden that makes it difficult for renters to afford their housing costs (examples include increased utility bills due to staying home and social distancing or quarantining)
• Informal rental arrangements with little or no legal protection (Examples include written statements that are not lease agreements)
• History of or potential for exposure to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or stalking (Examples include restraining orders, police reports, or court order arrangements)
• Evidence the household is forgoing or delaying the purchase of essential goods or services to pay rent or utilities, such as food, prescription drugs, childcare, transportation, or equipment needed for remote work or school
• Harassment or verbal threats of eviction by a property owner
• Evidence the household is relying on credit cards, payday lenders, or other high-cost debt products, or depleting savings, to pay for rent or utilities, rather than wages or other income

Owner Documentation

• Name, address, social security number or tax identification number, as applicable, for property owner
• Completed W-9 tax form for owner or property manager
• Property Management Agreement, Brokers Agreement that authorizes payments to be distributed to property manager on behalf of owner
• Proof of ownership (deed, most recent real estate tax bill, or current property insurance policy). The agency may also verify property ownership with a local municipal Assessor’s Office or with the Registry of Deeds. If this option is used, the agency must maintain a printed copy of such verification in the applicant file.

What happens if I do not have copies of my social security cards for all household members?

Only members assigned a social security number will be required to provide verification. You can provide copies of a tax return, IRS (Internal Revenue Service) form 1099 or W2, that has the social security number listed on the form. If you do not have a social security number, you may still apply for the program.

How do I determine how many individuals are included in my household?

A household is defined as all persons occupying the same housing unit, regardless of age and/or relationship to each other.

What is included when determining my household income?

Countable income for purposes of determining eligibility include: Income from employment, including self-employment (includes wages, salaries, tips, etc.) as evidenced by a 1099 tax form or pay stubs Income from Social Security benefits Income from Unemployment Insurance, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation All other consistent income received from other sources All income from all household members 18 and older SPECIAL NOTE: You do NOT have to count the federal stimulus checks you have received during the pandemic.

IF MY CHILDREN LIVE WITH ME AND THEY ARE 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER DO I HAVE TO INCLUDE THEIR INCOME?

Yes, all adult household members’ income needs to be entered into the pre-application.

WHEN AM I ABLE TO RECERTIFY?

The program policy for all recipients of rental assistance is that they are eligible to apply for recertifications for additional assistance 90 days after their payment sent date.

HOW CAN I RECERTIFY FOR MORE FUNDING?

At 90 days, an email will automatically be sent to the email the applicant has on file requesting the applicant to recertify if they need additional rental assistance.

WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED TO RECERTIFY?

NIncome documents must reflect current 60 days; a current lease or other approved lease document; applicant identification; and all owner documentation must be on file with DCA ERAP/EPP programs.

WHAT CAN BE USED AS A LEASE IF A LEASE IS NOT AVAILABLE?

If a current lease is not available, then a current statement; ledger; applicant rent portal; court document; utility bill; etc. can be used. If another current document is provided other than a lease, then it must contain: the owner’s name; applicant’s name; the full unit address to include suite and/or apartment location; AND the monthly rental amount applicant is responsible for. Additionally, all statements must contain the landlord or owner’s signature and the date the statement was signed.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE MOVED SINCE MY LAST REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE?

If the applicant has moved, they will need to complete a recertification application with their current address and landlord. The applicant will also need to make sure the owner submitted both their W9 and Proof of Ownership through Step Four (4) of the DCA Portal. The applicant will again be required to provide: identification; current proof of income (within the last 60 days); the new lease is REQUIRED (may not use self-certification); and all owner documentation.

IF I DID NOT REPORT ALL MONTHS OF ARREARS NEEDED, AM I STILL ABLE TO REQUEST THE MONTHS OF ARREARS WHEN RECERTIFYING?

Yes; a maximum of 18 months of assistance is allotted per applicant (a combination of initial application months and recertification months).