Tenants who have been unable to pay their rent or utilities because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply online for significant assistance.

At their Wednesday meeting, the county commissioners ratified the county Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which begins immediately.

The county received $12.4 million in federal funds for rent and utility assistance for residents affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Amanda Feltenberger, the county's director of integrated services, said until March 29, those who qualify for the assistance can apply online at compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome, where they will find a tab labeled “Emergency Rental Assistance Program” on the bottom right of the page.

Feltenberger said applicants' household income cannot exceed 80% of the median county income. She said that equals $46,500 for an individual and $66,400 for a household of four, for example.

Applicants also must meet at least one of three criteria to gain eligibility for the assistance.

Those criteria are:

- Having received unemployment benefits during the pandemic

- Had a reduction in household income or incurred significant costs due to the pandemic

- Experienced financial hardship because of COVID-19.

She said eligible renters can receive up to 12 months of rental arrears, 12 months of utility arrears and, if needed, up to three months in future rent payments.

“There is no maximum amount an applicant can receive,” Feltenberger said.

She said all applications will be verified with landlords and utility companies before funds are disbursed.

Should the program's funds begin to run out, applicants' income will be considered in determining who receives funds.

But the latest federal stimulus package also includes funding for rent and utilities.

“I don't think that's going to happen,” Feltenberger said of the potential for the county to deplete funding for rent and utilities.

Once an applicant fills out the online form for assistance, they will be contacted and provided with a list of documents needed to verify their application and to schedule an appointment at the Center for Community Resources (CCR), she said.

Feltenberger said she will begin calling applicants next week, and appointments will commence on the week of March 29.

Those applying after March 29 will drop off or send their applications to CCR, she said.

Feltenberger said although the state moratorium on eviction is set to end March 31, she hopes landlords will wait before evicting tenants, so they can collect the back rent they are owed by those who receive funds through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

“We are really trying to message landlords that we realize (the end of the moratorium is March 31), but please know that the funds are here,” she said.

Feltenberger stressed that homeowners are not eligible for utility assistance in the program, but said funds for homeowners are included in the new federal stimulus package.