Rental, utility assistance program funding available for Jackson County residents

     Community Services League and United Way of Greater Kansas City are assisting the Jackson County government in implementing their Emergency Rent Assistance program, which assists households in Jackson County. Funding for the program was made possible through COVID-19 pandemic relief passed in December 2020.
     The fund can assist with past due rent and utilities going back to April 1, 2020.
     This fund cannot assist with mortgage payments or cable/internet bills. Households in a rent-to-own contract are considered in a mortgage, and are unable to receive assistance through this fund.  Applicants are welcome to apply for both rental and utility assistance or just utility assistance if rent is not past due.
    Applicants need to Identify one head of household to be the “Primary Applicant.” The Primary Applicant needs to have an identification to upload into the application. Many types of identification are allowed, including: any State-issued driver license, State-issued ID, military, US or foreign passport, US or foreign birth certificate, US permanent resident, Tribal card, college/university, corporation, Social Security card, work permit, ITIN, Matricula Consular, voter card, or student visa. If an applicant can’t produce one of those types of identification, then a utility bill and a lease that have the same person’s name on them is acceptable.
     Any adult (18+) that is currently employed will need to upload 60 day’s worth of paystubs. If an adult works, but does not receive a paystub (i.e. self-employed or contract worker) then that person can upload a self-declaration of income. If the adult has filed their 2020 federal taxes, then they can simply upload their 1040 or 1040EZ, and do not have to upload any paystubs or other income documentation.
     The applicant will need to upload their signed lease agreement with their landlord. The applicant will also need to upload an invoice from the landlord showing the amount of past due rent. Additionally, the applicant will need to upload an IRS Form W-9 for their landlord.
     Applicants requesting utility assistance will need to upload an invoice from any utility (electric, water, sewer, gas/propane, trash) showing the amount past due.
     Visit the Jackson County ERAP website,
https://www.jacksoncountyerap.org/home,  to learn more about this fund.