Claim Rental Assistance In Knox County In 3 Steps

Your rent was likely reasonable when you signed your lease, but you have options for obtaining rental assistance if a financial hardship that is related to COVID-19 has made covering it difficult or impossible. In addition to the two main government programs that are available at the national level, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, many cities, counties, and states have created local resources. Here is an overview of how DoNotPay can help residents of Knoxville and Knox County obtain rental assistance to avoid eviction.

What Is Knox Housing Assistance?

Knox Housing Assistance is a program that assists residents of Knoxville and Knox County with paying their rent and utilities. Tenants can apply for assistance with one or both of these categories, and landlords are also able to submit a single application that fulfills his or her obligations for multiple tenants at once. You may be eligible to receive assistance for up to 18 months, which can be used to catch up on rent, pay current rent, or pay your utility bill.

Who Is Eligible for Knox Housing Assistance?

Because Knox Housing Assistance is intended to assist renters that are struggling financially as a direct result of COVID-19, you will need to prove that your specific reason for applying and level of need for rental assistance meet the program's eligibility guidelines. To qualify, at least one member of your household must meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Qualify for unemployment or can otherwise prove a recent job loss, significantly reduced hours, or another significant income reduction
2. Has experienced high medical bills or other significant, essential increases in spending that are directly related to COVID-19
3. Can demonstrate another financial hardship that is significant enough to affect the stability of the household

In addition to meeting one of these qualifications, your household must be at or below 80 percent of Knox County's adjusted median income.

Your application will be prioritized if you meet one of the following conditions:

• Someone in your household has been unemployed for at least 90 days
• Your current income falls below 50 percent of Knox County's adjusted median income

How Long Does It Take to Receive Rental Assistance?

Knox Housing Assistance applications are currently taking approximately 60 days to process. Your landlord's response time and the accuracy of your application are key factors in determining how quickly your application can be approved. This means that beginning the process as soon as you realize you are struggling financially is a must, especially if you are already behind on rent.

Apply for Knox Housing Assistance by Yourself

You can apply for Knox Housing Assistance online. Although there is no paper application available, you have several options if you are interested in receiving help with your application. These organizations can walk you through each step of the application process:

Your landlord will also need to submit a separate part of the application on your behalf that essentially confirms that he or she will not evict you during the months that you receive housing assistance. Although the City of Knoxville will contact your landlord on your behalf using the contact information you provide for him or her, it is a good idea to let him or her know that you are applying before this happens. You will still be eligible to receive assistance if your landlord does not respond after several attempts to get in touch. However, your application will not be processed until at least three attempts have been made, which means that encouraging your landlord to respond quickly is a must if you are anticipating having trouble paying your next month's rent.

Next Steps for Applying for Knox Housing Assistance if You Can’t Do It Yourself

Navigating the online Knox Housing Assistance application may be difficult, and your landlord may not respond in a timely manner. Fortunately, you have a better option. DoNotPay's AI Consumer Champion can quickly and conveniently help you make sure your application is completed correctly the first time. We can also reach out to your landlord on your behalf if he or she does not respond to requests from the program.

Apply for Knox Housing Assistance With the Help of DoNotPay

We can compose a letter to your local housing authority based on your situation and inquire about your best options for receiving rental assistance. Here are the 4 steps:

1. Search for Rental Assistance on DoNotPay.

2. 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.

3. Let DoNotPay collect your basic information and compose a letter to your local housing authority requesting rental assistance.

4. Lastly, DoNotPay will send your letter to your local housing authority.

Why Use DoNotPay to Apply for Knox Housing Assistance

DoNotPay is a faster and more convenient option than applying for Knox Housing Assistance by yourself. Choosing us may help you be more successful in having your application approved in a timely manner to avoid missing a payment.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay makes taking care of nearly any issue you may experience with your rental or in a wide range of other areas of your life easier than ever. Some of the dozens of problems we can quickly and conveniently help you with include:

• Applying for virtual credit cards
• Obtaining copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and a wide range of other documents
• Using free trials without getting charged
• Closing old accounts
• Recovering lost passwords

At DoNotPay, we are here to help you take advantage of Knox Housing Assistance and other relief programs that are available to Knox County residents. Contact us today to get started!