Relief Programs could help with more than rent
State sets aside funding to get residents back on their feet
St. Francis County residents who may be behind on their rent and other bills may be able to get help through several programs through the Arkansas Department of Human Services if they qualify.
"The first is Arkansas Rent Relief Program that offers financial help to pay overdue and upcoming rent and utilities for eligible Arkansas renters," said Lorie Williams, Office of Community Services Assistant Director with DHS. "Landlords who have tenants unable to pay their rent because of lost income or the Covid-19 pandemic also may apply."
According to Williams, the state of Arkansas has designated $173 million of federal funding for this program.
Once an application is approved, money would go directly to landlords and utilities companies but individuals have to apply for themselves however.
Items covered include overdue rent plus up to 5% of late fees dating back to April 1, 2020; overdue utility bills for gas, water and electricity and future rent owed through December 31, 2021.
Williams says renters can apply for up to three months of future rent at a time and up to 15 months of rent could may be covered between April 1, 2020 until December 31, 2021.
"To qualify, someone in the home has to qualify for employment benefits," said Williams.
Other possible qualifiers include: household income decreased during the pandemic or someone in home who suffered significant financial hardship due to the pandemic, such as job loss or extensive medical bills.
"Additionally individuals must meet income eligibility based on the residing county and number of people in the home," said Williams.
According to the DHS website, for St. Francis County single person households income eligibility limit is $30,350; two person household is $34,650; three is $39,000; four is $43,300; five is 46,800; six is $50,250; seven is $53,700 and eight is $57,200.
"Renters must submit several documents to request utility or rent relief funding including government-issued photo I.D. such as a driver's license or state identification card, proof of renting a home in Arkansas, proof of housing instability, proof of income for everyone in your home who file taxes, proof of financial loss of hardship due to Covid-19 as well as their landlord's email and phone number," said Williams.
Landlords also need to submit documentation to request rent relief funding including copy of lease, government issued photo I.D., as well as tenant's email and phone number, according to Williams.
Residents who are unsure if they qualify are still encouraged to apply online.
Learn more about the Arkansas Rent Relief Program and begin the application process at ar.gov/rentrelief. For questions or assistance with the Arkansas Rent Relief program, call 855.RENTARK Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To find a list of community partners providing application assistance, please visit ar.gov/rentrelief.
"Overdue phone, internet and broadband services are not eligible but the Arkansas Department of Commerce has began the Emergency Broadband Benefit program to help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Williams.
According to the ADC website, the $3.2 billion EBB program provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households
The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
To be eligible a household has to have one member of the household that meets at least one of the areas:
•Has an income that is at or below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
•Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
•Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
•Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
•Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or Covid-19 program.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly at www.broadband.arkansas.gov or www.getemergencybroadband.or g. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.
Another program being offered is the Emergency Solutions Grant.
"This program is different than the Arkansas Rent Relief Program," said Williams. "The DHS Division of County Operations partnered with community organizations throughout the state to distribute Emergency Solutions Grant funds to eligible Arkansans who are homeless or at risk for homelessness due to the coronavirus pandemic."
William states organizations were awarded funds in categories, street outreach, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing and emergency shelter.
St. Francis County residents have to apply for funds through an approved organization in the county.
According to the DHS site, For St. Francis this organization is Crowley's Ridge Development Council. Residents can call (870) 802-7100.