ByHow to Get Rental Assistance in Illinois
Rent is a recurring expense that you are duty-bound to pay as a tenant living on someone's premises. However, meeting this financial obligation can prove difficult, especially when your means of earning income have been cut short. Fortunately, tenants struggling with rental expenses or facing eviction in Illinois will be relieved to know the Illinois rental assistance programs to help state residents in such hard times.
While these assistance programs can be hard to access, for DoNotPay's will take you a step closer to getting the help you need.
Rental Assistance Programs in Illinois
Getting is made easier with DoNotPay. Illinois has directory service providers that ensure homeless people and those struggling with rental expenses avoid eviction. Through the rent relief initiatives, Illinois ensures that citizens access the available resources for help.
The state provides emergency housing assistance in rent and utility deposits to low-income families and other people in need.
You can get help with rent through these programs if struggling with rental expenses in Illinois.
The Illinois Rental Payment Program
The Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) offers financial assistance to eligible renters in Illinois who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Through the program, qualified renters can receive a one-time grant of up to $25000 directly paid to their homeowners. But if the house owner chooses not to finish their application, renters may directly get the payments. The amount renters get from the program varies based on their specific needs.
The IL RPP housing assistance covers up to 18 months of emergency, including 15 months of past-due rents and up to 3 months of future rent payments.
However, families that had previously received other rental assistance may not get more than 18 months of assistance. Moreover, the service received from this program may not exceed $25,000. Households that previously got the emergency rental assistance payment may not get further housing payment from IL RPP.
The IL RPP Eligibility Criteria
Illinois renters may qualify for the IL RPP program if:
- The family is facing housing instability due to eviction notice
- The renter must be an Illinois resident, primarily
- The household must have a low income as determined by HUD, which does not exceed 80% of the median area income
- At least one household member has qualified for unemployment benefits or encountered a salary cut.
- IL RRP assistance is available to qualified renters in Illinois despite immigration status.
The Required Documents
- A photo ID
- Proof of utility bill or address dated 90 days before the application
- Proof of family income, past due rent, or public assistance if applicable
- Recertification of income
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Illinois
The ERA program is a federally funded state program to help those financially affected by COVID-19 avoid eviction and utility denial. It provides short-term housing assistance to low-income and unemployed households. The program covers up to 3 months of future rent payments.
Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Eligibility Requirements
For a household to qualify for this program, at least one member or more people meet the following standards:
- Be eligible for unemployment or salary cut that significantly leads to financial hardship
- Be able to show a risk of housing instability or homelessness
- Has a family earning at or below 80% of the region median income
The Housing Voucher Program in Illinois
The voucher program is funded by the US Department of Housing and urban development in Illinois. The program increases affordable housing choices for very low-income families by enabling them to access rental homes.
Section 8 housing vouchers are issued by regional Illinois Public Housing Agencies (PHA) to eligible and approved families in the state. The program assists renters by paying landlords the amount equal to the difference between 30% of the renter's adjusted incomes and PHA determined payments for the region.
Eligibility Criteria
Beneficiaries for the section 8 housing voucher program must meet specific criteria. For instance:
- The household income must be at or below 50% of the median income of the area but can be up to 80% in some cases
- Be a US citizen and a resident of Illinois
- At least one member of the family is disabled or unemployed
How to Apply for Rental Assistance Program in Illinois by Yourself
1. The Illinois Rental Payment Program
All applications for the LRPP are made online. The Illinois Department of human services manages the applications on a rolling basis.
For any help with applications, you should contact the nearby IDHS service provider agency to verify your eligibility and the application process.
Helpful Resources for applicants:
- ILRPP income attestation form
- For answers FAQ
2. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program
ERA applications are completed online, and you should have the following documents before commencing the application.
- Financial documents like a bank statement
- Current lease agreement
- A photo ID or driver's license
3. The Section 8 Housing Voucher Program
First, find the nearby service provider or HUD agency, make an appointment to make the application in person. Applications are based on the listing; thus, you have to check for available listings before making an application constantly.
Rental Assistance Application Challenges in Illinois
Even though there are various rental assistance programs in Illinois, applying on your own can prove a hassle since applications are based on the listing and rolling, making it hard for renters in need. You will also be asked to provide many documents and will likely experience delays as it takes time to process the applications. For instance, the housing voucher listing is always full, while the ERA program can take up to 3 weeks before approval.
DoNotPay is the best avenue to resolve your rental issues because it is fast, easy, and likely to succeed. Use DoNotPay and pay your rent today.
Solve the Rental Assistance Problem in Illinois With the Help of DoNotPay
Follow the steps below to find .
- Search for Rental Assistance on DoNotPay.
- Put together a list of your income, debts, expenses, and assets. If you need help accessing information like your credit report, DoNotPay can help you get your report.
- Let DoNotPay collect your basic information and compose a letter to your local housing authority requesting rental assistance.
- Lastly, DoNotPay will send your letter to your local housing authority.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
Rental assistance is not our only specialty. We can also help with:
- Reduce Property Taxes
- Discover and Apply for Scholarships
- Find Unclaimed Money
- Send Demand Letters To Anyone in Small Court Claims
Do you want to learn more about our product? Sign-up for DoNotPay's rental assistance product or any of our other offerings to enjoy fast, easy, and successful services.