Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance

Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance

Tenant Application
Important Information

The Cameron County Rent Relief Program provides money to pay for rent and/or utilities only. You may receive assistance faster if your landlord applies for you. If your landlord is willing to participate, please work with your landlord and apply by using the landlord packet submission portal.

If your application is found to be eligible, the Cameron County Rent Relief Program will first try to pay your landlord and/or utility provider. If your landlord and/or utility provider does not accept the payment, the Cameron County Rent Relief Program will try to contact your landlord and/or utility provider for 21 days to confirm that they do not want to be paid directly.

The Cameron County Rent Relief program will only pay you after contacting or trying to contact your landlord and/or utility provider. If you receive payment directly from the Cameron County Rent Relief Program, you must use it to pay your landlord and/or utility provider.

Qualification Criteria

Renter households must have an income no more than 80 percent of area median income (AMI)

AND one or more members of the household must have either:
- qualified for unemployment benefits, OR
- attest in writing that due to or during the pandemic they:
- experienced a reduction in income,
- incurred significant costs, or
- experienced other financial hardship.
AND one or more individuals within the household must demonstrate they:
- are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, OR
- live in unsafe or unhealthy housing conditions.
Prioritization

For all applications received by Feb. 28, cdcb will first review and commit funds to applicants who meet one of the two priority groups below: Have incomes at or below 50% Area Median Income (Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance Income Limits, OR Households where one or more household members are unemployed as of the date you apply for assistance, AND one or more household members (this can be the same household member) were unemployed for 90 days prior to the date you apply for assistance.
Preliminary Screening Questions
You may be eligible for the Texas Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance Program and can begin the application process if you answer “Yes” to all of the five (5) questions below. If you answer “No” to any of the following questions you may not be eligible for assistance, however you may continue to apply for assistance and your application will be thoroughly reviewed.
Are you seeking assistance for Rent and/or Utilities for your primary residence, located in Cameron County, Texas? *
Warning: This program is designated for Cameron County residents. If you are not a resident of a county of Cameron, please contact our office at (956) 541-4955 as we may have other programs that requires a separate application.
What is the size of your household? *
The income limit for your 1 household member = $33,000. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 1 household member = $20,650. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 2 household members = $37,700. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 2 household members = $23,600. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 3 household members = $42,400. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 3 household members = $26,550. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 4 household members = $47,100. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 4 household members = $29,450. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 5 household members = $50,900. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 5 household members = $31,850. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 6 household members = $54,650. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 6 household members = $34,200. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 7 household members = $58,450. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 7 household members = $36,550. Is your annual household income under this amount?
The income limit for your 8 household members = $62,200. Is your annual household income under this amount?
To be prioritized in our application process, the income limit for 8 household members = $38,900. Is your annual household income under this amount?
Can you or anyone in your household demonstrate that you are at risk of homelessness by either providing a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice, or certifying that unless you receive rental assistance, you would have to move to an unsafe/unhealthy environment? *
Has anyone in the household experienced any of these financial impacts related directly or indirectly to COVID-19: reduction/loss of income, increased expenses, other financial hardship and/or qualified for unemployment benefits since March 13, 2020? *
Is this the only payment assistance you are requesting or will receive for the months you are seeking assistance? *
Documents Needed To Apply
As part of the Program application, all tenants and household members will be required to submit the following documentation required to perform the eligibility review:
- Government-issued or other personal ID for at least one household member on the lease
- Copy of rent or lease agreement (or rent receipt)
- Evidence of unemployment benefits, if applicable Notices of late rent payment or notice to evict,
- If applicable Copies of past due utility bills
- If utility assistance is being requested Income Documentation for all household members above the age of 18 (or head and/or co-head of household if all members are under 18) must be provided from one of the two options in the Tenant Income information section of this application

Profile Information
Upload Paper Application

Cancel of
Name *

First Name Middle Name Last Name
Email *
example@example.com
No Email Address
Phone Number *
Please enter a valid phone number.
Address *

Street Address

Unit #

City State

Zip Code
County *
If not Cameron county, we may still be able to assist you through TBRA or another program we offer.
Is your mailing address different than your rental address? *
Mailing Address (If mailing address is different than the rental property address)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State

Zip Code
Mailing Address County
Social Security Number *
Date of Birth *

Month Day Year
Date
Upload government-issued or other personal ID for at least one household member on the lease

*Uploading supporting documents will expedite the process
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Gender *
Race *

American Indian or Alaskan Native Black or African-American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander White Other Don't know/Elects not to share
Other Race
If you do not identify with any of the provided race categories, you may enter your detailed identity here.
Ethnicity *

Self-Employment Income Certification
Are any of the adult household members self-employed? *
Any applicant who is self-employed should complete this form if they are submitting current income OR if they are submitting 2020 income and have not yet filed taxes. You may submit a copy of the 2020 tax return in place of this form.
Name of household member who has self-employment income:

First Name Last Name
Company Name(If Applicable):
Company Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Date of Income Reported Start

Month Day Year
Date of Income Reported End

Month Day Year
Describe what you did to earn this money (be specific):
Self Employment Expenses Calculation

List your business expenses. Enter the dates you paid the expenses and amount of each expense. Add the amounts and enter your total in the box “Total Expenses”. IMPORTANT: Please submit receipts, invoices, or other verifying papers in addition to this form.
Enter Expenses *
Total Expenses
Self Employment Income Calculation

List the dates you received the income, your sources of income, and the amounts. Add the amounts and enter your total in the box “Total Income.” Under the “Total Income” box, enter your total expenses. Subtract your total expenses from the total income and enter your “Net Self-Employment Income". IMPORTANT: Please submit receipts, invoices, or other verifying papers in addition to this form.
Enter Income *
Total Income
Total Income =
Total Expenses =
Net Self Employment Income
I attest that the above information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that submitting false, misleading, or incomplete information may result in termination of participation in the Program.

Clear
Date

Month Day Year
Date
Did anyone help you complete this form?
Signature of Person Helping Complete Form

Clear
Date

Month Day Year
Date

Income Certification Form
Are there any household members over the age of 18 that are claiming cash income or zero income from any sources?
To be completed by adult household members who are claiming cash income, or zero
income from any sources.
Full Name

First Name Last Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City State / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Check the box that applies to your current income circumstances.

I hereby certify that I do not receive income from any sources. I hereby certify that I currently receive cash income and have not yet filed taxes for 2020.
Cash Income Amount:
Pay Frequency
Describe what you did to earn this money (be specific):
I attest that the above information is true, correct, and complete to the best of myknowledge. I understand that submitting false, misleading, or incomplete informationmay result in termination of participation in the Program.

Clear
Date

Month Day Year
Date

Rent Information
The program will automatically calculate your potential rental or utility assistance if you are eligible. Please enter all information and provide supporting documents to allow for an expedited review. Once your registration is complete, you will need to create payment requests in your tenant dashboard where you will be required to submit your lease and/or rent receipt prior to payment approval.
# of Bedrooms *
Total Monthly Rent as listed on Lease *
Number of Months Late on Rent *
Are you also requesting rental assistance for 3 months of current/future rent for this unit?
Your lease must cover this period, or a month-to-month lease with your landlord must be executed
Upload Copy of rent or lease agreement (or rent receipt)

*TIP: Uploading documents will help speed up the process.
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Landlord Contact Information
Landlord Name
Landlord Name *

First Name Last Name
Landlord Phone Number *
Please enter a valid phone number.
Landlord E-mail
*Providing landlord e-mail address will help expedite the process
Uploading of landlord packet (Certification/W9/ACH Forms)

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Utilities
Is utility assistance being requested?
Electricity
Is electricity assistance being requested?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Gas
Is gas assistance being requested?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Water (and sewer if combined)
Is water assistance being requested(and sewer if combined)?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Sewer (if separate from water)
Is sewer assistance being requested(if separate from water)?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Trash Removal (if Separate from Water)
Is trash removal assistance being requested(if separate from water)?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Other Energy Costs (such as fuel oil or propane)
Is assistance for other energy costs assistance being requested?
Requesting Assistance for past due?
Total Amount Past Due
Requesting Assistance for 3 months Current/Future?
Most Recent Monthly Bill Amount
Attached all Utilities Bill seeking assistance for:

Cancel of

Eviction Diversion Program Participation

A portion of the funds have been set aside specifically for households whose landlords have already sued for eviction in their local court. The application process is the same, however please complete this section if you are undergoing eviction proceedings. If your landlord has not started eviction proceedings, then you may skip this section.
Please provide the information related to your eviction lawsuit.
Court Docket #
Justice of the Peace Precinct
County
Notices of late rent payment or notice to evict, if applicable

Cancel of

Certification
I/We, above named Tenant(s), hereby certify that:
1. I/We have occupied the unit for which I/we am seeking assistance as my/our principal residence during the period of time for which the rental or utility arrears assistance, if any, is requested and will occupy the unit as my/our principal residence throughout the remaining months for which the assistance is provided.
2. I/We understand that if the Landlord and/or Utility Provider does not elect to participate, assistance payment may be made directly to me/us as the legally responsible party(ies) for the unpaid bill or future payment, and the payment must only be used for eligible costs as identified in this application. Use of payment received for any purpose other than the rent or utility assistance requested is subject to criminal penalty.
3. To my/our knowledge, the Unit for which I am receiving assistance is not receiving Housing Choice Voucher or Project-Based Rental Assistance or is not public housing and is not receiving any other form of government or charitable assistance for the same month or months of rent for which this assistance is requested, such as tenant-based voucher assistance (such as Section 8), or project-based assistance.
4. I/We will not seek to obtain rental or utility assistance in the future for the same months of rental arrears, rent, utility arrears, or utilities covered by this assistance, and if I/we do receive such assistance I will report it to Landlord and/or Utility Provider using the contact information in my/our lease or utility bill statement, and to the Cameron County Rent Relief Program.
5. I/We will inform the Cameron County Rent Relief Program within ten calendar days if evicted from the Unit, if disconnected from Utility services, or if I/we no longer occupy the Unit as my/our principal residence during the period of assistance.
6. I/We have provided a current written lease as part of the application, or if I/we have not provided a current written lease, I/we have provided a copy of the most recent written lease (as applicable) and the rent receipt for the most recent full month that a rent payment was made, and that the information I have provided in the Tenant Application regarding the terms of my/our lease, rent amount, and/or utility arrears are true and accurate.
7. I/We understand that if determined to be ineligible, I/We can appeal the decisions by following the appeal instructions at www.cdcb.org.
8. Tenant acknowledges that all information collected, assembled, or maintained by the Cameron County Rent Relief Program pertaining to their application, except records made confidential by law or court order, are subject to the Texas Public Information Act (Chapter 552 of Texas Government Code) and the Cameron County Rent Relief Program must provide citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties with reasonable access to all records pertaining to this application subject to and in accordance with the Cameron County Public Information Act.
9. I/We shall provide the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Inspector General, the U.S. General Accounting Office, the Texas Comptroller, the Texas State Auditor’s Office, the Office of Court Administration and the Cameron County, or any of their duly authorized representatives, access to and the right to examine and copy records related to a payment made as a result of this application. If provided funds directly, I/we agree to keep records of payment to the Landlord for the later of five years, or Such records will be kept for the longer of five years, after notice of a monitoring, audit, or litigation, has been provided, the matter has had a final disposition.
10. I/We have been provided a copy of this certification.
11. I/We may remain responsible for charges presented with my utility bill, such as district assessments, internet, or cooperative fees, that are presented separately from the charges for utility service.
12. I/We may remain responsible for charges authorized under the lease other than rent going forward, including but not limited to pet rent or trash pickup fees.
13. The information I/We have provided is true, accurate, and complete, and if requested, I am able to provide documentation to prove my household’s loss of income or additional expenses. I/We understand that providing false, incomplete, or inaccurate information on application forms or seeking assistance for months in which assistance has been or will be provided, may result in termination of participation in the Program, up to 5 years of imprisonment and for each occurrence a fine of up to $10,000.
I acknowledge that all information presented in this application is true *
Tenant Signature *

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Date *

Month Day Year
Date
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Cameron County Emergency Rental Assistance

Preliminary Screening Questions

Documents Needed To Apply

Profile Information

Household Information

Income Information

Self-Employment Income Certification

Self Employment Expenses Calculation

Self Employment Income Calculation

Income Certification Form

Rent Information

Landlord Contact Information

Utilities

Eviction Diversion Program Participation

cdcb Processing Page

Initial Application Screening

Supporting Documents

Accounting

Certification