What is the Eviction Relief Fund?

An adult tenant in an eligible household. An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in
which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:
a) Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred
significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
b) Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
c) Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income level.

No. This program was funded by the U.S. Government specifically for Cob County residents. Other
counties received their own funding

Yes, the household* must have income equal to or less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for
Cobb County. Income caps are as follows:
• Household of 1 – $46,350
• Household of 2 – $52,950
• Household of 3 – $59,550
• Household of 4 – $66,150
• Household of 5 – $71,450
• Household of 6 – $76,750
• Household of 7 – $82,050
• Household of 8 – $87,350
*A “household” includes all people living at the same residence, regardless of legal or familial relationship.

If an adult is living in leased property in Cobb County and faces the possibility of eviction, they should
apply using the Tenant Application. They will be eligible if they meet the financial and other requirements
for an eligible household.

 Yes

Yes

No. This program only provides assistance for rental obligations.

No. Only one application per household is necessary. Applications should list all members living in the
household.

No. Qualified households must work directly with ONE of the five Service Providers in Cobb County
assisting with distribution of ERA funds.

A landlord can begin an application process on behalf of a tenant, but the tenant will be responsible for
providing the necessary documentation to complete an application and will need to work directly with the
Service Provider.

• Applicant’s Photo ID – driver’s license, state-issued ID, or government-issued ID
• Social Security number for all members of the household. If household members do not have a Social
Security number, they may provide their Passport or Consulate ID number
• Proof of earned income (gross-pre-tax) for each household member 18 and older
• Proof of unearned income for each household member 18 and older – including unemployment, social
security, child support, SSI, retirement, worker’s compensation, TANF
• Current Lease in the applicant’s name
• Current Tenant Ledger or Account Statement
• Proof of COVID Hardship
• Current and/or Past Due Rent and/or Utility Bill (if requesting support for utilities) – name and
address on utility bill/statement must match the name and address of applicant

The federal government’s Treasury Department requires certain information and documentation to show
that Cobb County has properly used the funds in this program, including but not limited to income
information, social security numbers, and/or other information and documents. All of the information
gathered may be delivered to the Treasury Department by Cobb County to facilitate proper tracking of
Cobb County’s use of funds. If you fail to provide your social security number or any other required
information and/or documentation, the application cannot be processed.

Cobb County must report information about participants in this assistance program, including the gender,
race, and ethnicity of the primary applicant.

You are a tenant for purposes of this application, and you may submit an application. However, you may
be required to provide other evidence of the landlord/tenant relationship, such as proof of prior payment.

Your household income can be determined by either:
a) The total adjusted gross income of your household for calendar year 2020. You will need to
provide documentation of your adjusted gross income through income tax forms or your 2020 W2’s. This includes earned and unearned income for every person in the household over the age of
18.
b) Sufficient confirmation of monthly income at the time of application. You will need to provide
income documentation for the two most recent months. This includes earned and unearned
income for every person in the household over the age of 18. 

You must submit documentation that supports your statement that economic hardship is due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. This could include:
• Unemployment Benefit Determination (after 3/13/2020)
• Unemployment Benefit statement dated within 30 days of signed application
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Notice (start date after 3/13/2020)
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) Notice (start date after 3/13/2020)
• Separation Notice after 3/13/20 (lack of work due to COVID)
• Furlough letter referencing COVID
• Employer layoff/termination letter referencing COVID
• Employer letter of lost wages or hour reduction due to COVID
• COVID Emergency Family Medical Leave determination
• Medical notice of COVID risk due to underlying condition that impacts your ability to work
• Childcare closure/virtual school notice for current semester ALONG WITH an employer letter of
hour reduction, separation, or termination due to childcare
• Bank Statements (for self-employed applicants ONLY) that demonstrate income prior to AND after
COVID; must also include a written explanation of how statements demonstrate COVID related
impact to income.

For the application, the term “past due rent” includes all monies due under the Lease for rent including
any utilities such as electric, water and natural gas that are provided by the Landlord, when it is included
in the “rent” and is charged to the tenant. It does NOT include internet charges, phone service or cable
fees, even if provided by the Landlord. No amount due on or before March 31, 2020 is eligible to be
covered and will not be considered.

You should contact the Property Manager, Landlord, or other person who collects your rent and ask them
how much is owed on your account. If you are not able to get into contact with the Landlord to determine
the amount, use your best judgment to estimate the amount owed on the application. During the
application process the amount owed will be verified with the Landlord and adjusted if necessary.

You may not be able to successfully complete the application and qualify for assistance. Your application
must include the income and personal demographic information required.

Households are eligible for a maximum of up to 12 months of assistance with past due rent. You can
apply for any arrears that occurred after March 31, 2020. Applicants are NOT guaranteed a full 12 months
of assistance. Amount of assistance provided is dependent on individual qualifications and availability of
funds. If a renter has previously received assistance through the CARES Act funds, those payments will be
included towards the 12 month maximum.

Possibly. If the program has available funds after rental arrears have been paid.

If a renter has previously received assistance through the CARES Act funds, they must apply to that SAME
Service Provider that previously serviced them for additional assistance through ERA. Payments from
CARES Act Funds will be included towards the 12-month maximum under the ERA guidelines.

Yes, utilities such as electric, water and natural gas may be covered in this program where the tenant pays
them directly to the utility provider. It does NOT include internet charges, phone service or cable fees. The
applicant should specify the request for assistance with these utilities in the space provided on the
application.

Place on the application the last known contact information you have for the Landlord/Property Manager

Unfortunately, no. The Service Provider will contact your landlord and/or utility company and explain how
the program works. Your landlord and/or utility company will need to decide to accept this rental
assistance payment and sign some forms. The service provider cannot force your landlord and/or utility
company to participate. If your landlord and/or utility company decides not to agree to participate, the
service provider will have to deny your application. The Service Provider will notify you if that happens.

Applications will be considered until such time as all monies are exhausted. You are encouraged to apply
as soon as possible so that your application may be considered.

You will receive additional information from the Service Provider regarding your application.

The service providers for Cobb County are:
• HomeFree, USA
• MUST Ministries
• Star-C
• Sweetwater Mission
• The Center for Family Resources