If you or someone you know in Westmoreland County are facing an eviction or struggling to pay your bills due to Covid related complications, there are funds to help.
These funds are available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Westmoreland County received $20 million in grant funds to help keep families in their homes. These funds will pay for back rent, unpaid utilities, and some other items. Any person responsible for paying rent can apply for ERAP. Your landlord does not have to participate for you to get this help.
Commissioner Chew’s office has assistants that will go into our communities and meet with the tenant to assist them with completing this paperwork, in or near their home. They will supply the laptops and hot spots. The tenants also have the option to complete the paperwork themselves with the supplied equipment. Also, if you were previously rejected for assistance, we are happy to review the application to see if another program could help you.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can help eligible households pay rent and other bills that keep families in their home with working utilities. ERAP can help pay for:
- Current rent
- Past-due rent (arrears)
- Current balances and arrears for utilities such as:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Water
- Sewer
- Trash removal
- Energy costs (fuel oil)
- Rental fees
- Late fees
ERAP can also assist if you are experiencing homelessness by helping to pay for:
- Moving expenses
- Security deposits
- Transitional hotel/motel stays
- Future rent
- Future utilities
Commissioner Doug Chew