YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR HELP WITH PAST DUE RENT AND UTILITY BILLS, RENT AND UTILTIY DEPOSITS.
For Financial Assistance with Rent, Mortgage and/or Utilities please click on the Neighborly Software link below.
For all other assistance call 850-439-3009 leave your name and contact information.
The Emergency Solutions Grant – CARES Act (ESG-CV) provides financial support for renters who are struggling due to the COVID-19 emergency in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties.
Tips to Avoid Processing Delays with your Determination Application:
Tip #1. Verify Contact information: name, email address and phone number.
Tip #2. Verify Income: Click here for Income Eligibility Requirements
Tip #3. Submit ALL reguired documents (document copies must be readable).
Click Homeless Prevention Eligibility for information on applying for assistance with utility bills and rent assistance.
Click Rapid Re Housing Assistance for information on applying for Rapid Re-Housing Assistance.
Tip #4. An application must be fully submitted by the applicant within 30 days of the date it was started or the case will be automatically denied. You are allowed to re-apply if your case is denied or withdrawn voluntarily.
Tip #5. Please do not submit duplicate applications, this will only delay the processing time for you and others.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
Applications will be evaluated for eligibility and completeness. Applicants will complete an online application and will be notified of application status by email. Applications for rental arrears assistance must be completed and submitted by the leaseholder. Applications for utility arrears assistance must be completed and submitted by the account holder of the utility service. Payments for approved applications will be made directly to the landlord or the utility company on the applicant’s behalf.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
The application portal will open the 1st day of each month until 100 applications are received. At 100 applications submitted, the portal will close to allow the Case Management team to process applications.
A notice to the community will be delivered to inform the public when the application portal will be reopened.
An application must be fully submitted by the applicant within 30 days of the date it was started or the case will be automatically denied. You are allowed to re-apply if your case is denied or withdrawn voluntarily.
Once your case is submitted and changed to “Forwarded to Supervisor”, please allow 7-14 business days for processing. You will receive a phone call regarding whether your case was approved for payment assistance or denied due to ineligibility.
If your case is referred to another provider, the case status label “Referred to ESG provider” will be listed. This means your case was referred to another ESG subrecipient in the Escambia or Santa Rosa County where the program is open.