Assistance is for households experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19

SANTA FE – The state of New Mexico will grant approximately $170M of federal aid to New Mexicans for rental and utility assistance to households experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will administer the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in partnership with the City of Albuquerque. New Mexicans can apply for assistance at www.RentHelpNM.org beginning April 5, 2021.

“New Mexicans have persevered through incredible challenges this last year,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “My administration has stepped up not only to fight the health effects of the pandemic but to assist businesses and individuals at every single opportunity – and this program is more of the same, as we put the dollars at our disposal to the best possible use: helping New Mexicans.”

“We know many New Mexicans require a variety of aid as a result of the pandemic, and as we acquire more funds, we will get the money out the door as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Finance and Administration Secretary Debbie Romero. “Our team has been working diligently on building this program from conception to launch.”

“Identifying New Mexicans in need of rental and utility assistance will take a collaborative effort, so in addition to our efforts, we hope to collaborate with nonprofits and other entities for community outreach, said Donnie Quintana, Local Government Division Director, and ERAP lead.

“This funding is an important extension of the safety net we have been providing for Albuquerque residents throughout the pandemic.” Said Mayor Tim Keller. “By teaming up with the state and local partners, we can streamline the application process and quickly get money to those in our community who need it to stay housed.”

Renters across the state are eligible for the program — except for residents of Bernalillo County, Dona Ana County, and those who live in a pueblo or tribal area. Those two counties, as well as tribal governments, will administer their own Rental Assistance Programs. Those seeking assistance should review the current FAQ at www.RentHelpNM.org to learn more about eligibility and documentation needed for their application.

The state of New Mexico will either pay the landlord and/or the utility provider directly depending on the financial assistance request by the applicant. Landlords and utility providers are encouraged to download a W9 and submit it to DFA via ERAVendor.Relations@state.nm.us as soon as possible to ensure a streamlined process for receiving payment.

For more information visit www.RentHelpNM.org

Frequently Asked Questions
In 2020, the U.S. Congress appropriated funding to the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide
emergency rental assistance to households experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19
outbreak. Funding was allocated to states, Indian tribes or their Tribally Designated Housing Entities,
and territories to provide Emergency Rental Assistance in the form of rental, utilities, and home energy
costs assistance to eligible renters. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will administer
approximately $170 million appropriated for the Emergency Rental Assistance program for both the
State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque.
1. What type of assistance is available?
This assistance is available for those in a lease agreement with a landlord or those who have
entered into a lease-purchase agreement. Funding is also available for utility assistance and other
expenses related to housing costs (i.e. hotel/motel costs) incurred directly or indirectly, due to
the COVID-19 outbreak.
2. Am I eligible to apply for Rental Assistance?
To be eligible, a household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling; and
● Households paying rent under a lease agreement. This includes tenants making lease
payments under a lease-purchase agreement;
● Households, where one or more individuals have either: a) qualified for unemployment
benefits; or b) experienced a decrease in household income, incurred significant costs,
or experienced other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which include:
○ Job loss;
○ Job furlough;
○ Closure of place of employment;
○ Reduction in self-employment compensation;
○ Job loss and/or wage reduction due to requirement to be quarantined
based on a diagnosis of COVID-19; or
○ Other pertinent circumstances leading to financial hardship;
● Households where one or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a
risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; ● A household income at or below 80% of area median income as defined by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development provided in this link:
http://housingnm.org/assets/content/Income_Limits.pdf;
● Have a current primary residence in a housing unit in New Mexico;
● Have documentation to demonstrate delinquency on rental housing costs, utilities
and other costs; and
● Have made their housing cost payments through March 31, 2020.

3. Where do I apply for Rental Assistance?
You can apply at www.RentHelpNM.org beginning April 5th, 2021 if you live in New Mexico,
except for the counties of Dona Ana, Bernalillo, and if you live in a Pueblo or Tribal area. The
Tribal governments and Dona Ana County and Bernalillo County will administer their own Rental
Assistance Program, visit the links below for more information:
Bernalillo County Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
Dona Ana County Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program
Please note, you can apply for this funding if you live in the city limits of Albuquerque.
4. How do I apply for rental and or utility assistance and what documents do I need?
You can apply through the following method beginning April 5th, 2021:
● Web portal at www.RentHelpNM.org; or
● Download and submit the application via email at Info@RentHelpNM.org or mail to
DFA: 407 Galisteo, Santa Fe, NM 87501, Attention: ERAP.
5. Is there a cap or maximum amount of Rental Assistance I can receive?
Rental Assistance is capped at 15 months of assistance, which is dependent on the individual’s
situation. Rental Assistance may be dispersed in 3-month increments and depending on the
individual’s situation, an opportunity to receive additional assistance after submission of updated
documents and further review. Priority will be placed on paying past-due or rent in arrears
before any other assistance. Restrictions are dependent on the individual’s request and personal
situation.
Payments will be made directly to the landlord.
6. What is Utility assistance?Utility assistance is defined as assistance to renters to pay past-due bills for electricity, gas, water
and sewer, trash removal, fuel oil, wood, and pellets.
Utility Assistance is capped at 15 months which is dependent on the individual’s situation and
rental past-due amounts. Utility Assistance is only available to renters, not homeowners.
Payments will be made directly to the utility provider.
7. What are the documents required to be submitted for Rental and/or Utility Assistance?
In order to validate eligibility and application information, supporting documentation is required
to be submitted. Documentation may include but is not limited to:
● paycheck stubs, earning statements
● most recent filed federal income tax return
● profit and loss statement showing the net amount after business expenses
● bank statements
● utility invoices
● receipts for expenses such as wood, pellets, hotel/motel costs etc.
● attestations from landlords, employer, caseworkers, or others with knowledge of the
household’s circumstances
● IRS form 1099-G
● mortgage or deed or title to the property being rented for lease-purchase situations
● unemployment award letter
● any other documentation as requested by DFA.
Photocopies or digital photographs of documents can be mailed in along with the application,
uploaded to the web application portal, or emailed to DFA.
8. When will the Rental Assistance Program be available?
The program will be open to applicants beginning April 5th, 2021
9. How long will the application process take?
Upon submission of the application and supporting documentation, DFA will conduct a review
within 24 to 48 hours. If additional information is needed, a representative will contact you as
soon as possible. After a review of the application, you will be notified of the decision via email
or mail. If the application is approved, payment will be made within 10 business working days.
10. Will I receive the financial assistance payment?The State of New Mexico will either pay the landlord and/or the utility provider directly
depending on the financial assistance request. Requests for other financial assistance such as
wood, pellets, hotel/motel costs etc., will be reimbursed directly to the applicant with evidence of reciepts.

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