The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide temporary rental assistance and rental and utility arrears to low- and moderate-income households.

Applications are now open. Eligible applicants should apply as soon as possible.

Approved applicants may receive: 

  • Up to 12 months of rental arrears payments for rents accrued on or after March 13, 2020. 
  • Up to 3 months of additional rental assistance if the household is expected to spend 30 percent or more of their gross monthly income to pay for rent. 
  • Up to 12 months of electric or gas utility arrears payments for arrears that have accrued on or after March 13, 2020.
  • Up to 12 months of protection against certain types of eviction, with limited exceptions for small buildings.
  • Up to 12 months of monthly rent frozen at the amount it was when you applied.

All payments will be made directly to the landlord/property owner on behalf of the tenant. Tenants will be notified of the amounts paid on their behalf.

Landlords may initiate an ERAP application on behalf of eligible tenant(s). However, if you are a landlord and your tenant is either unwilling to apply for ERAP or has left the rental property, you should apply for rental assistance through the Landlord Rental Assistance Program (LRAP) instead.

Applicants are protected from certain types of eviction while their application is pending. Documentation of immigration status will not be requested.

Eligibility

As a NYC tenant, you are eligible for this assistance if you meet all of the following criteria: 

  • You have fallen behind on rent since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. 
  • A member of your household has qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced financial hardship—directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Your household income (before tax) is currently or was in 2020 at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI):
Household SizeAt or Under 80% AMI
1$66,850
2$76,400
3$85,950
4$95,450
5$103,100
6$110,750
7$118,400
8$126,000

Online

Learn more and apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). You can also live chat with a representative on the website.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about ERAP.

Check the status of your application.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
  • Division: Rental Assistance Program
  • Phone Number: (844) 691-7368
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM
  • Agents are available during business hours. Call volume is often high. If you get a busy signal, please try again later.

New ERAP Applicants

NYCHA residents who have a rent balance are encouraged to visit the State’s ERAP website to view the full list of eligibility requirements at otda.ny.gov/ERAP.

NYCHA worked with the State to simplify the process to ensure that NYCHA residents no longer have to fill out the State’s full online ERAP application. Residents who haven’t applied yet for ERAP should log on to the NYCHA SelfService Portal to fill out a consent form granting NYCHA permission to apply on their behalf. 

There are no additional steps for residents to take after they have completed the consent form.

Existing ERAP Applicants

If you are a NYCHA resident and you already submitted an ERAP application with the State, you must email the following information to erap.fin@nycha.nyc.gov:

  • ERAP application number
  • Complete name
  • Date of birth
  • Development name
  • Nine digit account number

This step is necessary for NYCHA to complete the application process.

Section 8 Voucher Holders

Section 8 residents should work directly with their landlord to apply for ERAP. Applications can be submitted online at otda.ny.gov/ERAP.

The following community-based organizations can help both tenants and landlords in completing ERAP applications.

They also can provide internet access, assist with uploading documentation, and answer other questions that you might have.

Bronx

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Queens

Staten Island

You can submit a report online about Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) fraud in New York State.

Submit the Emergency Rental Assistance Program Fraud Reporting Form.