The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) Logo

 

New Applications for COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) Are Currently Closed.

Help with heating costs is available through the Energy Assistance Program. Apply here

I need help now!

 

Having Trouble Paying Your Rent or Utilities? We’re Here to Help.

The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) (RentHelpMN) works to help renters get the assistance they need to avoid utility shutoff or eviction. The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) program is administered by Minnesota Housing and the Counties of Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, and the Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

Am I Eligible?

You may qualify if you can answer yes to the following questions.

  • Are you a renter household?
  • Does your household income meet the program's limits?
  • Has someone in your household (1) qualified for unemployment or (2) had a decrease in income or increase in expenses due to Covid-19?
  • Is someone in your household at risk for housing instability or homelessness?

How Much Assistance is Available?

Every household's situation is different, so the amount of assistance you may receive will be specific to your needs.

What Costs are Eligible?

You may request assistance back to March 13, 2020. Prior expenses are not eligible.

Eligible costs include: rent, manufactured home lot rent, rental of a manufactured home, utilities including electric, gas, power, heat, water, sewer, bulk fuel, internet, trash, eviction costs, fees charged by your landlord, hotel costs if the hotel is your residence, and other costs related to keeping you in your home.

Costs that are not eligible include: homeowner costs, homeowner utilities, landlord-paid utilities, landlord-paid property taxes, property insurance, phone, and renter insurance.

How Can the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) Program Help Me?

Depending on your circumstances, RentHelpMN assistance may:

  • Bring your past due rent or utility bill(s) current.
  • Pay up to 3 months of future rent at a time, until funds run out.

How Do I Apply?

After you answer the prescreening questions, you must complete an application for assistance and provide documentation.

Please have all your information and documents ready to ensure faster processing of your application. An application will not begin the review process until all information has been received.

If you are requesting rental assistance, make sure the amount you request will be accepted by your landlord. If they challenge the amount, it can delay the processing of your application.

What Happens Next?

If you qualify for rent assistance, we will request approval from your landlord/property manager. If your landlord/property manager approves, we will send payments directly to them to bring your rent current and pay up to 3 months of forward rent. If the landlord does not accept the funds through the program, you may still be eligible to receive assistance directly to pay your rent.

If you qualify for utility assistance, we will work with your utility company(ies). If your utility company(ies) approve, we will send payments directly to them to bring your utilities current.

Minnesota Housing

Assistance is provided on a fair and equal basis and the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, familial status, gender identity, or sexual orientation in the provision of assistance.

Tennessen warning:

The purpose of this notice is to enable you to make an informed decision about whether to give data about yourself.  This information is being collected to facilitate the implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, to effectively manage and evaluate the program’s effectiveness, to comply with reporting requirements to the United States Department of Treasury, and to efficiently administer future COVID-related housing assistance programs specifically authorized by the legislature or mandated by the federal government.  You are not legally required to provide any of the requested data; however, if you do not provide the data, we may not be able to provide you with the services or resources you are requesting.  Your data may be shared between the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, local jurisdictions implementing the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Anoka County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Washington County, the City of Minneapolis, the City of Saint Paul), the United States Department of Treasury, the program administrators and contractors, community agencies funded from state, federal, and local resources that help provide housing assistance, and the organization(s) identified as holding debt for which you are seeking assistance, and other parties the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency deems necessary.  The data can also be shared upon court order or provided to the state or legislative auditor.


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What does it mean to be "ready to upload"?

  • Your documentation meets the date and content requirements;
  • You have your documentation available as a legible:
    • High resolution scan as a Jpeg, PNG, or PDF;
    • High resolution photo as a Jpeg or PNG;
    • Downloaded PDF from the original document provider
  • You have either an email address or a cell phone number capable of receiving texts (data and messaging rates from your provider apply);

It is important to check the legibility of your photos and/or scans otherwise it can delay your application. Not sure if your documents are legible? Click Here for an Example.

Have all your documents ready?

Documentation Checklist

Below is a sample cropping of the same document:

Sample of a legigible and illegible document.

Pinch to zoom in.

If you do not have the ability to get digital copies of your documents - you can:
FAX:
WATER UTILITY FAX: (440) 398-8081
MAILING ADDRESS:
ATTN: COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State)
400 Wabasha Street N
St. Paul , MN 55101 .

Be sure to include your application number on your fax cover sheet

Document Checklist

If you do not have the ability to get digital copies of your documents - you can:
FAX:

MAILING ADDRESS:
ATTN: COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (State)
400 Wabasha Street N
St. Paul , MN 55101 .

Be sure to include your application number on your fax cover sheet

Pinch to zoom in.


Everyone must complete a pre-screen before applying.

Click Here to Start Your Pre-screening
Documentation Checklist

Please be prepared to upload copies of your documents in the Pre-Screening Checklist. It is important to check the legibility of your photos and/or scans otherwise it can delay your application. To process your application you must either have an active email account or an active phone number to receive notifications (provider text and data fees may apply). Funds are not guaranteed. If you need help with this application, please call or text 211. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application due to a disability, please call or text 211.


To process your application the RentHelpMN program needs to collect documents to show you are eligible and your expenses can be covered. Further information can be found at RentHelpMN.org or by calling 211. Please have ready at least one in each category:

Help with heating costs is available through the Energy Assistance Program. <a href="https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assistance">Apply here</a>.

Help, I don't qualify

If you feel you reached this in error, please call us at :public_phone and we can help clarify any questions.

 

Documentation Checklist

Please make sure you have copies of all your required documents  ready for uploading or for faxing or mailing:

To process your application the RentHelpMN program needs to collect documents to show you are eligible and your expenses can be covered. Further information can be found at RentHelpMN.org or by calling 211. Please have ready at least one in each category:

  1. Identification of Head of Household
    state issued ID, driver’s license, passport, ITIN, Tribal ID, or other form of ID

  2. Rental Agreement
    A signed lease
    A rental agreement from your landlord (template provided in the application)
    If you do not have or cannot get a rental agreement, other documents that show you pay rent at your address such as canceled checks, bank statements, or utility bills in your name

  3. Landlord’s Contact Information

  4. Income Eligibility Documents for All Adults
    Year 2020 tax documents such as 1040, W2, 1099
    Two months of pay stubs or other pay documents, only if you do not have 2020 tax documents
    In some cases where you cannot document your income or have no income you will be able to apply without documents

  5. Assistance Request Documents
    A past due rent statement, tenant ledger, or invoice from your landlord showing what you owe
    Past due utility bills including water, sewer, power, gas, electric, fuels, trash
    Bills for other housing expenses such as eviction filing fees and court fees
    Please note you cannot request reimbursement for expenses you have already paid

Do you have all your documents ready?

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