Please note most of these FAQs are regarding Emergency Rental Assistance 1 (ERA1) funds.  These funds require the demonstration of a COVID hardship (explained below).

ERA2 funds do not have such stringent requirements.  When contacting the nonprofit providers please make sure you know which type of rental assistance funds are available and which you should apply for because they have different qualifications.

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

• Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
• Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and,
• Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income level.

Applicants are eligible for up to 12 months of assistance for rental and utility arrears.  There is no guaranteed minimum amount of assistance with final determination is dependent on individual qualifications and available funding. 

• Must meet income eligibility requirements; proof of income required.
• Must be able to provide proof of COVID hardship.  
• Landlord agreement required. 
• Cannot be served by multiple agencies. 
• Additional documentation required.

Rental payments are made directly to the landlord.

Utility payments are made directly to the utility company.

1.  Documentation of proof of Identity (provided by the individual submitting application):

• Social Security Number
• Driver’s license
• Government-issued photo identification
• U.S. Military photo ID
• Passport or passport card

2.  Documentation of COVID-19 Impact, (which could include):

• Termination Notice;
• Payroll Check or Pay Stubs;
• Bank Statements;
• Medical Bills;
• Signed Letter from Employer explaining applicants changed financial circumstances;
• Unemployment Award Letter.

3.  Income Source Documentation (for all members of the household):

• Wage statements, interest statements, or unemployment statements reflecting 2020 annual income or 2020 IRS tax form;
• Wage statements, interest statements, or unemployment statements for at least two months prior to application.

4.  Documentation to establish the risk of homelessness or housing instability:

• Past due rent or utility notices:
• Eviction notice.

5.  Lease, signed by applicant and landlord, or pattern of paying rent established by:

• bank statements, check stubs, or other documentation that reasonably establishes a pattern of paying rent; or
• a written attestation by a landlord who can be verified as the legitimate owner or documented authorized management agent. Documentation to establish ownership of property from Landlord:
  • Warranty Deed
  • Tax Record
  • Insurance Binder

6.  Utility bills or invoices, if seeking assistance for these costs.

Any award through the ERA fund will go directly to a landlord or utility company and does not have to be paid back. 

The fund distribution is reported to the IRS.

No. This program was funded by the U.S. Government specifically for Cobb County residents.  Other counties received their own funding.

Yes, the household* must have income equal to or less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Cobb County.  Income caps are as follows:

• Household of 1 -  $46,350
• Household of 2 -  $52,950
• Household of 3 -  $59,550
• Household of 4 -  $66,150
• Household of 5 -  $71,450
• Household of 6 -  $76,750
• Household of 7 -  $82,050
• Household of 8 -  $87,350

*A “household” includes all people living at the same residence, regardless of legal or familial relationship.

If an adult is living in a leased property in Cobb County and faces the possibility of eviction, they should apply using the Tenant Application. They will be eligible if they meet the financial and other requirements for an eligible household.

Yes

Yes

No. This program only provides assistance for rental obligations.

No.  Only one application per household is necessary. Applications should list all members living in the household.

No. Qualified households must work directly with ONE of the five Service Providers in Cobb County assisting with distribution of ERA funds.

A landlord can begin an application process on behalf of a tenant, but the tenant will be responsible for providing the necessary documentation to complete an application and will need to work directly with the Service Provider.

The federal government’s Treasury Department requires certain information and documentation to show that Cobb County has properly used the funds in this program, including but not limited to income information, social security numbers, and/or other information and documents.

All of the information gathered may be delivered to the Treasury Department by Cobb County to facilitate proper tracking of Cobb County’s use of funds. If you fail to provide your social security number or any other required information and/or documentation, the application cannot be processed.

Cobb County must report information about participants in this assistance program, including the gender, race, and ethnicity of the primary applicant.

You are a tenant for the purposes of this application, and you may submit an application. However, you may be required to provide other evidence of the landlord/tenant relationship, such as proof of prior payment.

Your household income can be determined by either:

1. The total adjusted gross income of your household for the calendar year 2020. You will need to provide documentation of your adjusted gross income through income tax forms or your 2020 W-2’s. This includes earned and unearned income for every person in the household over the age of 18.
2. Sufficient confirmation of monthly income at the time of application. You will need to provide income documentation for the two most recent months. This includes earned and unearned income for every person in the household over the age of 18.

You must submit documentation that supports your statement that economic hardship is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This could include:

• Unemployment Benefit Determination (after 3/13/2020)
• Unemployment Benefit statement dated within 30 days of a signed application
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Notice (start date after 3/13/2020)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) Notice (start date after 3/13/2020)
• Separation Notice after 3/13/20 (lack of work due to COVID)
• Furlough letter referencing COVID
• Employer layoff/termination letter referencing COVID
• Employer letter of lost wages or hour reduction due to COVID
• COVID Emergency Family Medical Leave determination
• Medical notice of COVID risk due to underlying condition that impacts your ability to work
• Childcare closure/virtual school notice for current semester ALONG WITH an employer letter of hour reduction, separation, or termination due to childcare
• Bank Statements (for self-employed applicants ONLY) that demonstrate income prior to AND after COVID; must also include a written explanation of how statements demonstrate COVID-related impact on income.

For the application, the term “past due rent” includes all monies due under the Lease for rent including any utilities such as electric, water, and natural gas that are provided by the Landlord, when it is included in the “rent” and is charged to the tenant. It does NOT include internet charges, phone service, or cable fees, even if provided by the Landlord. No amount due on or before March 31, 2020, is eligible to be covered and will not be considered.

You should contact the Property Manager, Landlord, or another person who collects your rent and ask them how much is owed on your account. If you are not able to get into contact with the Landlord to determine the amount, use your best judgment to estimate the amount owed on the application. During the application process, the amount owed will be verified with the Landlord and adjusted if necessary.

You may not be able to successfully complete the application and qualify for assistance. Your application must include the income and personal demographic information required.

Households are eligible for a maximum of up to 12 months of assistance with past due rent.  You can apply for any arrears that occurred after March 13, 2020. Applicants are NOT guaranteed a full 12 months of assistance. The amount of assistance provided is dependent on individual qualifications and the availability of funds.  If a renter has previously received assistance through the CARES Act funds, those payments will be included towards the 12-month maximum.

Possibly. If the program has available funds after rental arrears have been paid.

If a renter has previously received assistance through the CARES Act funds, they must apply to that SAME Service Provider that previously serviced them for additional assistance through ERA. Payments from CARES Act Funds will be included towards the 12-month maximum under the ERA guidelines.

No. Payments will be made directly to property management companies, leasing offices, landlords and utility companies only. Proof of payment will be provided to applicants.

No. This is not a loan. ERA payments are considered a grant and will not have to be paid back. However, if we discover that a recipient has falsified documents and has somehow defrauded the program, the money will need to be repaid.

Your lease should explain if you owe charges to your Landlord on a monthly basis for electric, water and natural gas that are provided by the Landlord. If you do not have a copy of your lease, contact your Property Manager or Landlord to obtain one. If you get no response, make a good faith estimate of what those amounts are each month and how much you have not paid based on the best information available to you.

Yes, utilities such as electric, water and natural gas may be covered in this program where the tenant pays them directly to the utility provider. It does NOT include internet charges, phone service or cable fees. The applicant should specify the request for assistance with these utilities in the space provided on the application.

In the event you do not know the actual name of the new owner, first contact your Property Manager and ask. If you are unable to get a response, fill out the application using the name for the Landlord that is on your Lease or the name of the company or person to whom you paid your rent the last time you paid rent.

Place on the application the last known contact information you have for the Landlord/Property Manager.

Unfortunately, no. The Service Provider will contact your landlord and/or utility company and explain how the program works. Your landlord and/or utility company will need to decide to accept this rental assistance payment and sign some forms. The service provider cannot force your landlord and/or utility company to participate. If your landlord and/or utility company decides not to agree to participate, the service provider will have to deny your application. The Service Provider will notify you if that happens.

Applications will be considered until such time as all monies are exhausted. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so that your application may be considered.

You will receive additional information from the Service Provider regarding your application.