Emergency Rent/Utilities Assistance for Low-Income Residents

Important Message!

Due to the high volume of applications there may be a longer wait time before you hear back from an ERAP eligibility specialist. In the meantime, please make sure all required documents have been uploaded and all sections of the application are complete. If you have not heard from an eligibility specialist after three weeks you may want to contact us to ensure that your application was received. Call 336-703-3700 or send an email to forsytherap@forsyth.cc.

Informacion en Espanol

The City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have received federal funds under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to assist low-income residents who are behind on their rent or utilities payments because of the COVID-19 pandemic (directly or indirectly).

The program is open to all renters residing in the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, who have a household income 80% or less of area median income (see chart below) and have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is for renters only. ERAP provides assistance with rent and/or utilities, to include electricity, water/sewer, trash removal, natural gas, propane, fuel oil and internet (special conditions apply for Internet assistance).

HOW TO APPLY:

Tenants and Landlords
Click Here to Apply

Inquilinos y Propietarios
Hacer Clic Aqui para Aplicar

You can also Call 336-703-3700

GET HELP WITH YOUR ERAP APPLICATION IN-PERSON:

Appointments and Walk-in Service are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and by Appointment Only on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at:
Forsyth County Department of Social Services
741 Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem

Click the button below to schedule an appointment for help with your new application or uploading documents to an existing application.

Schedule an in-person appointment/Programar una cita en persona

Priority for this program will go to:

Households with an income of 50% or less of area median income.
Households that have been unemployed for 90 days or more due to COVID-19.
Households with a pending court eviction.

Eligibility Criteria:

Impacted financially by COVID-19 (such as the following):
- Qualifies for unemployment. There are multiple ways to qualify.
- Reduction in income (furlough or reduction in work hours)
- Had financial hardships or increased expenses (medical, food, etc.)
Household income 80% or less of area median income (See chart below)
Needs assistance paying rent and/or utility bills

HOUSEHOLD INCOME LIMITS

INCOME LIMITS FOR HOUSEHOLD SIZES 1 TO 8
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
50% income limit^*	$24,150	$27,600	$31,050	$34,450	$37,250	$40,000	$42,750	$45,500
80% income limit	$38,600	$44,100	$49,600	$55,100	$59,550	$63,950	$68,350	$72,750
^*80% is the eligibility limit and 50% is for priority processing.

Additional help for Renters

Para asistencia para inquilinos

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is included in "household income"?

The household income is the combined total of all adults living in the home.

I live by myself. Am I an eligible to apply?

Yes, provided that you are responsible for paying the rent, and utilities where you live and that you meet all the other eligibility criteria.

How do I prove that my household has experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19?

Provide documents that show that one or more individuals within the household:

Proof of unemployment benefits,
Proof of a reduction in income,
Proof of increased expenses,
Proof of other financial hardship.
Self-Attestation statement

I am a tenant; do I need to get my landlord to participate?

This is helpful, but not required as your landlord will be asked to complete documents during the application process. If you have questions/concerns, please call our customer service line at: 1-855-838-6776.

Who receives the payment?

In most cases, payments will be made to the landlord/property management company and utility company directly.

Is there a maximum benefit amount?

The amount of assistance will vary from household to household based on its circumstances.

How long can I receive assistance?

Currently, the program helps with past due rent and utility bills up to 12 months in arrears and rent going forward up to 3 months, with one application. You may apply in future months, provided that funds are still available and the you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Once I have submitted my application, how will I know what is happening?

You will be able to log into the application portal and review the status of your application.

View a complete description of each status

What documentation do I need to apply?

The tenant must fill out the Tenant Application and provide the following documentation:

First name, last name, and social security number of adult household members. Those without a social please enter 000-00-0000.
Identification - The applicant and the co-applicant must provide identification (ID) to get assistance. Photo ID is preferred, such as a driver's license, state ID card, military ID card, or any passport. Many other forms of ID can also be used, such as a birth certificate, a Medicaid or Medicare card, a signed Social Security card or an ID card issued by employer or religious organization/place of worship.
Signed lease agreement is helpful
Letter of unemployment benefits, if applicable
Proof of Income for each household member (tax documents, paystubs, unemployment award letter, savings and checking account statements, child support income documentation, if applicable) OR a Determination letter from a government agency verifying the household income is at or below 80% of the area median income
For Rental Assistance, an eviction notice or late payment notice or rental ledger
For Utility Assistance, utility bills showing amounts due for each month of assistance requested. The bill must include the household address and one household member's name
Documents for prior rental assistance received (if applicable)
Additional documentation not listed above to demonstrate household income, economic impact, risk of homelessness, and other assistance received that is relevant to your application