FREQUENT QUESTIONS

How do I apply?

The Eviction Protection Program 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.

How will I know if more funding becomes available?

You will be notified when/if your application is selected via email should additional funding become available.

I do not have an email address. How do I submit my application?

You cannot apply without an email address. You must obtain a valid email address to submit an 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 internet connection to apply?

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

I do not have internet access at home; where can I go to complete my application?

Please call 609-490-4550 for assistance.

Can landlords also apply on behalf of their tenants?

Yes. If a property manager or owner of a residential dwelling applies for assistance during the application collection period, the following is required: The landlord must obtain the signature of the tenant on application, which may be documented electronically; and Documentation of such application shall be provided to the tenant by the landlord.

When is my deadline to apply?

The program is accepting applications and will remain open until all available funds have been committed. The duration of the program will depend on the number of eligible applicants. We recommend you apply as soon as possible.

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.

I submitted a pre-application for rental assistance after the portal for the CVERAP2/Eviction Prevention Program closed to new applications on December 15, 2021. Does that qualify as applying for rental assistance on the self-certification form?

Yes, that qualifies as applying for rental assistance. If DCA receives additional funds, your application will be considered at that time.

What financial assistance is provided?

Financial assistance is based on a calculation using the household’s income and contract rent, where total family share of monthly rental obligations would not exceed 30%. Subsidy caps are imposed for families with income above 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). See table below.

Income Tier I- Very low-income household with the percentage of AMI that is 30% or less.
Assistance is based on the family's income, where maximum assistance is equal to the contract rent (or 100% of the FMR) MINUS 30% of the family's monthly income. Prospective (Future) rents Only.

Income Tier II- Low- or moderate- income household with the percentage of AMI that is greater than 30% and less than 80%.
Assistance is based on the family's income, where maximum assistance is equal to the contract rent (or 100% of the FMR) MINUS 30% of the family's monthly income. Monthly assistance for this tier cannot exceed $800. Prospective (Future) rents Only.

Income Tier III- Middle-income household with the percentage of AMI that is Between 80% and 120%
Maximum assistance is 100% of Contract Rent or FMR. Arrears (Past Due Rent) Only.

Tier I and Tier II Families can receive a maximum of 24 months of assistance. Tier III families can receive a maximum of 12 months of assistance.

How will I receive the assistance?

The assistance will be paid directly to your landlord who will receive either a check or an ACH wire transfer into their bank account.

Are late fees and security deposits covered?

No, late fees and security deposits are not covered with this program.

I live in a hotel/motel. Am I eligible to receive assistance through EPP?

No. Applicants living in a hotel, motel inn or suites would not be eligible to receive EPP assistance. In order to qualify, the applicant must reside in eligible unit where there is a lease agreement in place.

Am I eligible if I or a member of my household has previously or is currently receiving other rental or utility assistance?

Families may be eligible for assistance under the EPP if they have received prior rental assistance under the ERAP I or ERAP II. Families who wish to participate in the EPP must exhaust all available funding available to them under the ERAP.

I applied by the 12/15/21 deadline, is my application going to be processed?

Yes. Any application submitted by the 12/15/2021 deadline will be included in future selections and reviewed for Eligibility. Please follow the application instructions you are given.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To qualify for rental assistance under the EPP, households shall demonstrate that a person in the household meets the following criteria during the covered period between March 1st, 2020 and August 31, 2021: Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic; Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; Falls within a household income threshold that establishes eligibility for rental assistance under the program; Has a lack of assets and savings to pay rent arrears or current and future rent; Is a New Jersey resident; and Is obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling. To qualify for EPP assistance, the household must have exhausted all available funds available to them under the ERAP.

Do I need to be served a court ordered eviction to qualify?

No. A household does not need to be served with a summons or complaint for eviction. At minimum, households must have received an oral or written communication from their landlord indicating that an eviction filing is imminent or contemplated.

Are some cases prioritized?

Yes. Applicants will be prioritized as follows: Applicants who were denied assistance under the CVERAP II due to the household income being over the 80% income limit, not to exceed 120%. Applicants who have exhausted all funding under the CVERAP II

Is there are US citizenship requirement? Can undocumented residents apply?

Per federal guidelines, documentation of household legal status is not required and there are no restrictions on who can apply as long as they meet income and other economic hardship eligibility requirements.

What documents do I need?

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

• 2020 Tax Return (1040, 1040EZ, etc.)
• 2020 W2 from Employer
• 2020 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.

How does EPP affect my court filing?

In order for your court filing to be considered for dismissal, household must submit a pre-application for assistance along with submitting a self-certification form. See below links: Submit a Pre-Application for Assistance: https://njdca.onlinepha.com/ Submit a Self Certification Form: https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/renterform

Should I still submit a self-certification for eviction protection?

Yes, you should still submit a self-certification in order for your case to be considered for dismissal.

What if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still get evicted? Is there any rental relief?

NJDCA has created a process that may help prevent you from being evicted or removed from where you are living. Pursuant to recently enacted legislation, if you submit a Self Certification Form and if you are eligible you may be protected from being evicted or removed from where you are living at any time for past due rent accrued between March 1, 2020 and either August 31, 2021, or December 31, 2021, depending on your income.

Will the NJDCA require landlords accepting rental assistance not to file for eviction for a period of time after receiving assistance?

Landlords will be required to withdraw eviction filings and not to pursue any eviction judgments received for failure to pay rent during the months covered by the program.