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Struggling to Pay Rent Due to COVID-19?

Date: 06/08/21

The State of Louisiana is launching the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program. This program provides emergency rental help to Louisiana residents who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State of Louisiana is administering the program in 57 parishes. Information on how to apply can be found at http://www.LAStateRent.com or by phone at 877-459-6555, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you previously applied for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program (LERAP) program and reside within a parish participating in the state program, you will be contacted with information regarding the next steps.

Important: If you live in Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans or St. Tammany Parish, you must apply directly to the program in your parish. If you live in or have rental property in one of these parishes, you are not eligible to apply to the state program. Local programs may vary in terms of eligibility, prioritization, benefits, and application process, and applicants are encouraged to reach out to those programs directly.

You may be eligible for rental assistance under the program if the following requirements are met:

  • Renter lives in a rental unit in one of the 57 parishes covered by the program
  • At least one individual in the household qualified for unemployment benefits or their household income went down, took on significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to COVID-19
  • Renter has received a past due rent notice, past due utility notice, or an eviction notice or is experiencing housing instability
  • Household income does not exceed 80% of area median income limit (AMI) for the parish, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Renters must provide documentation of income for ALL household members age 18 or older. Renters should provide income documentation on an annual basis. If not available, the monthly option is available.

For documentation of annual income, renters must provide one (1) of the following:

  • IRS form series 1040 (preferred)
  • W-2 wage statements for 2020
  • Interest statements
  • Unemployment compensation statements

For documentation of monthly income, renters must provide one (1) of the following:

  • Two most recent months of pay stubs
  • Signed wage/payment schedule from employer(s)
  • Unemployment compensation statements

Important: If you are unable to provide income documentation, you may select the option to direct the program to use data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission to verify your income.

Utility assistance is also available. If requesting utility assistance, renter must provide:

  • Copy of utility bill
  • Proof of penalty fees or reconnection fees
  • Service provider, account number, service dates

Renters who request expedited processing will need to provide extra documentation. The following documentation will be required:

  • Proof of Obligation to Pay Rent: A valid agreement detailing monthly rent amounts and additional terms. The applicant is requested to provide one (1) of the following to establish eligibility:
    • Copy of current lease (preferred)
    • Other documentation detailing rental agreement between landlord and renter and obligation which may include cancelled rental checks, money orders, etc.
  • Proof of Current Housing Instability: Documentation detailing the risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The applicant is requested to provide any of the following that apply:
    • Past due rent notice
    • Past due utility notice
    • Eviction notice
  • Photo Identification: Proof of identification. The applicant will be requested to provide the following to establish eligibility:
    • Government issued photo ID

For more information and to apply visit https://www.lastaterent.com/.