DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — The Dauphin County Department of Human Services launched a new program to help residents who experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program funds are earmarked for people who can show they experienced reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardships during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic between March 13, 2020 and May 11, 2023.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Qualify for unemployment benefits OR experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic (March 13, 2020 up to and including May 11, 2023); AND
- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include past due rent and utility notices and eviction notices; AND
- The household is defined as a low-income family (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))).
Applicants must also be at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) to qualify. Income eligibility is determined based on annual gross income or current monthly gross income for the total household. Click here to view a chart showing current AMI status.
Dauphin County officials emphasized that this program operates on a first come, first serve basis. Officials will continue to review applications as long as funds are available for those who applied from the time applications opened on July 15 through the close on July 30.
Applications for the Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance Program will be accepted online through 4:30 p.m. on July 30 and can be found here. Those with questions can call 211 or email rentutilityassist@dauphincounty.gov.
For more information, click here.
