How to apply for your ERAP extension
For households that have already received Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds, applicants can apply for up to a 3 month rent extension. Extensions do not require a new application. ERAP uses the previous application history to redetermine income eligibility. Depending on the documents used in the initial application, new pay stubs and attestations may be required. Read the Extension User Guide
The final rental and utility assistance payments from ERAP will be for the month of June. Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June.
If you have questions about eligibility or need assistance with an application, please reach out to the following:
- LOCAL ASSISTANCE: There are organizations set up ready to help eligible households get the assistance they deserve. (Download an updated list)
- CALL CENTER: For ERAP support, call center hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The toll-free phone number is 1-877-996-3727 (1-877-WYO-ERAP). Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and/or speech disabled may reach ERAP through their preferred relay service provider or by dialing 7-1-1.
- LEGAL ASSISTANCE: If facing eviction, please contact Legal Aid of Wyoming. Visit www.lawyoming.org or call 1-877-432-9955 for Legal Aid. They may be able to provide other legal assistance to eligible ERAP households living in Wyoming. The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides legal aid services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. These legal services are for eligible ERAP renters living in Wyoming. Visit www.wyomingdvsa.org/legal-program or call 307-755-0992.
Housing Stability Services
Housing assistance is still available to previous ERAP applicants and those who never applied. ERAP has set aside $8.6 million for housing stability services available to ERAP eligible recipients and households. The final housing stability services payment will be for the month of June 2023.
- Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking: The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides specialized services to support their ability to obtain and maintain safe housing. To learn more, please contact Angie Fessler at 307-755-5481 or email afessler@wyomingdvsa.org. Learn more
- Assistance with Costs to Obtain or Keep Safe Housing: Need help with the first month’s rent and deposit or other costs related to obtaining or keeping safe housing? ERAP has given funding to local community based organizations (Download an updated list) that will determine funding on a case-by-case basis.
What is the income eligibility?
You meet the income eligibility requirements for ERAP if your total household income is equal to or less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). Your AMI depends on how many people live in your household and the county you live in. Please reference the table below to see the 2022 80% AMI applicable to your household using either annual or monthly income. AMI limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and revised in April of each year.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
- ERAP Flyer: Download the latest ERAP flyer
- FAQs – Renter: Download English version
- ERAP Renter Extension Application Guide: Download English Version | Download the Spanish version
- ERAP Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Guide: Download English Version | Download the Spanish Version
- ERAP Appeal User Guide: Download English Version | Download the Spanish Version
- Wyoming ERAP Required Documents: Download English Version | Download Spanish Version
- Fillable Self Attestation Form: Download English Version | Download Spanish Version
FAQS FOR HOUSEHOLDS
If a household has received ERAP funding prior to Nov. 11, 2022, eligible applicants may still apply for rent assistance only, utility assistance only, or both rent and utility assistance.
The final rental and utility assistance payments from ERAP will be for the month of June. Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June.
If households have questions about their extension application status or what months they can apply for funding, please contact the ERAP call center, which is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The toll-free number is 1-877-WYO-ERAP (1-877-996-3727).
- Eligible households may receive up to 18 months total of assistance for rent and 18 months for unpaid utility payments incurred after March 13, 2020.
- Applicants can extend for up to 3 months rent at a time.
- An application for utilities will need to be submitted each month because while rent is (usually) a set rate, utility costs vary from month to month.
- For every application for funds, ERAP will need to redetermine income eligibility, depending on the documents used in the initial application. Pay stubs and attestations will require a new uploaded document with the extension. Tax documents are often acceptable for the year they cover.
- Applicants will need to prove income eligibility every 90 days.
ERAP no longer accepts new applications for rental or utility assistance and new letters of intent (LOI) as of Nov. 11, 2022. Those that have applied for assistance prior to Nov. 10 will be able to apply for an extension if needed. Extensions are not considered a new application. Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June. Read the Extension User Guide
Click here to apply for an extension.
If you need assistance with your application, you can visit the following community based organizations: Download an updated list
Third parties are allowed to complete an extension on your behalf. Third parties are case workers, family members, or others available to help you. However, the third party will then be the email contact and you must allow the third party to agree to the extension terms on your behalf.
Note: Paper-based applications are NOT accepted.
Households who rent their home and meet the following four criteria are eligible for ERAP assistance from the State of Wyoming. Please note that the final rental and utility assistance payments from ERAP will be for the month of June. Households will continue to receive payments if they are eligible and approved and funding is available. No payments will be made to cover rent, utilities and housing stability services for the months after June.
CRITERIA 1: One or more individuals within the household is obligated to pay rent, or has rental arrears on a previous residence, that is:
- Located in Wyoming
- Not located on the Wind River Reservation. If you live on the Wind River Reservation, you may be eligible for assistance through the tribal ERAP programs Eastern Shoshone ERAP, Northern Arapaho ERAP
CRITERIA 2: Total household income is equal to or less than eighty percent (80%) of the area median income.
CRITERIA 3: One or more individuals within the household has:
- Qualified for unemployment benefits; OR
- Experienced financial loss during COVID-19
CRITERIA 4: One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of:
- Experiencing homelessness
- Housing instability: Housing instability may be living situations that are not stable or not safe. Some examples may include: eviction notice or shut-off notice; unable to afford rent plus essential goods, food, prescription drugs, childcare, etc; and unsafe living conditions, such as no heat or water.
- Are currently homeless or without a current residence. This may include those living at a shelter, living with friends or family, couch surfing, living doubled-up, etc.
Yes, if you applied for ERAP for a letter of intent (LOI) prior to Nov. 11 and it has not expired. ERAP stopped accepting new LOIs on Nov. 11. If an applicant has applied for and received a LOI prior to Nov. 11, the LOI is valid 90 days from the time it was issued OR as long as funding is available.
An approved LOI shows prospective landlords what the applicant is eligible for:
- Security deposit
- First 3 months of rent
- Potential additional rental assistance up to a total of 18 months. Payment is dependent on approval, eligibility and available funding.
Don’t wait to secure lease agreements. Funding is limited.
Once a lease agreement is signed, the applicant will need to submit the signed lease agreement through the online application portal under the LOI application, and provide the following information:
- Physical property address of the rental
- Landlord’s name and contact information including email address
- Amount of the requested deposit
- Amount of rent (may be able to apply for up to three months
- Other amounts requested
- Hit SUBMIT, so that the lease can be reviewed
- If the lease is approved, the assistance payment will be processed
Once the above information is received, ERAP will send an email to the landlord asking them to complete the landlord application and enter the CODE provided. The program allows landlord’s 10 days to complete the application.
If the landlord chooses NOT to complete the application within the 10-day period, after reasonable outreach attempts; the tenant application will be processed and eligible payments will go directly to the applicant.
As long as funding is available and the tenant remains eligible, the household can apply for extensions.
For each of the applicant eligibility criteria, supporting documentation includes:
PROOF OF IDENTITY | NOTE: You do NOT need to be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident to apply for or receive assistance under the State of Wyoming Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
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PROOF OF NEED FOR RENT ASSISTANCE | If applying for rent assistance, applicants will be required to upload a copy of: Written rental or lease agreement or sublease agreement No written lease Documentation of Residence
Documentation of Rental Payment Amount
CAN’T PROVIDE ANY OF THE DOCUMENTATION ABOVE? Self Attestation: If the applicant can document residence but cannot document the rental payment amount, the applicant may provide written self-attestation:
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PROOF OF INCOME | One or more of the following documentation types is required of all applicants, demonstrating the household’s income, in accordance with the income selection of (1) annual or (2) monthly at time of application. Applicants will be required to provide income documentation for every adult member of the household. Depending on the sources of household income, documentation MAY include any one or more of the following:
CAN’T PROVIDE ANY OF THE DOCUMENTATION ABOVE? Self Attestation: If any of the above documents cannot be provided, a household member’s financial hardship can be documented by a written attestation signed by the applicant. Examples of financial hardship include, but are not limited to:
Waiver of Documentation: The Wyoming Department of Family Services may waive the documentation requirement for proof of income for the following reasons:
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PROOF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP | Depending on how you qualify, at least ONE document will be required. Loss of income:
Significant costs incurred: Copies of medical, child care, transportation, or other significant expenses your household has incurred as a result of COVID
Other financial hardship: Approval letter for federal, state or local government assistance programs (e.g., Medicare, SNAP, TANF) |
PROOF OF RISK OF HOUSING INSTABILITY OR HOMELESSNESS | Risk of experiencing housing instability or homelessness:
CAN’T PROVIDE ANY OF THE DOCUMENTATION ABOVE?
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PROOF OF NEED FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE | If applying for utility assistance, applicants will be required to upload copies of the utility bill for each utility provider and for each month for which utility assistance is required. The bill should contain:
Applicants may upload more than one page if necessary, to detail outstanding charges, including any remaining payment plan balance. If utility costs are included in the monthly rental or lease amounts, no separate documentation is required for proof of need of utility assistance. |
For the purposes of ERAP eligibility, your total household income is determined as either:
Total household income for the calendar year 2021, using your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on your 2021 IRS Form 1040; OR
Total household monthly income at the time of application for at least 2 months prior to submission
- For this determination, your income eligibility will need to be redetermined every three (3) months in order to receive any additional ERAP assistance
You meet the income eligibility requirements if your total household income is equal to or less than 80% the area median income (AMI).
Your AMI depends on how many people live in your household and the county you live in. Please reference the tables below to see the 80% AMI applicable to your household using either annual or monthly income.
No. The ERAP application is free of charge.
No. Eligible renters who receive assistance with eligible expenses and comply with the terms and conditions of the ERAP program are not required to repay any amount(s) received.
No. ERAP funds may not be applied to rent or utility bills already paid. However, you may still apply to receive assistance with future unpaid rent or utility bills in three (3) month increments.
No. ERAP will not assist with telephone and cable utility expenses.
Please note that all housing stability service programs end on June 30, 2023. Costs related to obtaining or keeping safe housing will be considered on a case-by-case basis when an ERAP application is reviewed.
Depending on the circumstances, eligible costs may include:
- Reasonable relocation expense
- Security deposits
- Reasonable late fees
- Renters insurance if required in the lease
- Moving costs and rental fees if displaced during COVID-19, including hotel/motel charges and screening or application fees
- Utility disconnection and reconnection fees
- Internet service up to $50 per month if you or a member of your household needs the Internet for:
- Homeschooling/distance learning
- Telework
- Job search
- Telehealth visits
Security deposits paid by the program become the property of the renter if the tenant resided at the property for at least four months. If the deposit is not returned to the tenant, it should be returned to the program.
Yes. Eligible renters living in manufactured homes (mobile homes) and/or paying rent for the parcel of land the manufactured home occupies qualify for ERAP assistance.
No. However, the program can only pay for up to 18 months in total, per household. June 2023 is the final month that ERAP will make payments.
You may be able to receive assistance if you have a pending eviction notice, are at risk of homelessness or housing instability, and meet all other applicant eligibility criteria above.
If you have already received an eviction notice, have a civil case against you for unpaid rent, or are having other issues with your landlord, you may receive additional support through the Legal Aid of Wyoming. Visit www.lawyoming.org or call 1-877-432-9955 for Legal Aid. They may be able to provide other legal assistance to eligible ERAP renters living in Wyoming such as:
- Lease agreement advice/negotiation
- Eviction defense
- Disputes that could lead to eviction
- Financial issues directly related to the home you rent (disputes about security deposits, damages claims, late fees, etc.)
- Issues related to the safety of the home you rent
- Financial matters affecting your ability to maintain or obtain housing such as: debt collection defense; federal benefits (SSI/SSDI); employment matters (FMLA, disability accommodations); and consumer protection actions to obtain tenant funds lost to scams.
If you need assistance with your application, you can visit the following community based organizations: Download an updated list
For ERAP support, call center hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The toll-free phone number is 1-877-996-3727 (1-877-WYO-ERAP).
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, and/or speech disabled may reach ERAP through their preferred relay service provider or by dialing 7-1-1.
An email will be sent to you stating the eligible expenses for which you have been awarded funding. Please ensure that you include a correct email address before submitting your application.
After submitting your application, please allow up to four weeks for applications to be processed and payments to be issued. To prevent any delays, make sure to supply any missing/incomplete documentation.
How do I find out my application status?
- Please check your application status on the online portal or call the call center 1-877-996-3727 (1-877-WYO-ERAP).
- All correspondence regarding your application will come from noreplywyoerap@wyo.gov. Please add this email to your contact list to avoid missing important emails.
ERAP payments will be made directly to landlords and service providers. The vendor information provided in your application will be used to contact your landlord and/or service provider. You will receive documentation of all payments made to your landlord and/or service providers on your behalf.
If your landlord or service provider refuses to accept direct payment from the ERAP program, then eligible payments may be made to you. You must then use the funds to make the payments to the landlord and/or service provider as required. Failure to do so may result in recoupment of funds and/or suspension from participating in current and future assistance programs.
If you know your landlord is unwilling to participate, you can upload an attestation from your landlord to potentially move the application from the match stage directly to review sooner than 10 days.
No. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Emergency Rental Assistance is intended to help eligible households that require financial assistance to pay for rent, utilities, home energy expenses, and other related expenses. Rental payments and/or utility payments are ONLY counted as gross income for your landlord or utility provider. See IRS ERA FAQs.
Yes, you can apply for an extension if you received ERAP funds prior to Nov. 11, 2022 for your previous address.
ERAP will not pay for assistance at the new address. If an applicant has a change in residence after Nov. 10, they will no longer be eligible for ERAP assistance
No. Those who have a mortgage, or otherwise do not rent their home may not receive assistance from the program. ERAP is only available to renters. If you own your home and need assistance, please check out the Wyoming Homeowner Assistance Fund Program at https://dfs.wyo.gov/haf.
Yes. If you meet the eligibility criteria, but are subject to an agreement where you have an obligation to purchase your rented home from your landlord at the end of the lease term, you can still receive ERAP assistance, as long as a member of your household:
- Is not a signer or cosigner to the mortgage on the property
- Does not hold the deed or title to the property
- Has not exercised the option to purchase
Yes. Households that receive a monthly federal subsidy, where their rent is adjusted according to changes in income, are eligible to apply for assistance through the program. However, assistance will only be provided for the amount not covered by other programs.
Federal law requires that ERAP payments not be duplicative of any other federally funded rental assistance provided to an eligible household. Therefore, ERAP funds may not be applied to costs that have been, or will be, reimbursed under other federal programs.
Yes. If you meet the household eligibility criteria, you can receive assistance from ERAP. However, ERAP funds will only be provided for the amount not covered by other programs.
Both you and your landlord will need to certify that you have not received, and do not expect to receive, assistance for the same rent due from another assistance program.
If facing eviction, please contact Legal Aid of Wyoming. Visit www.lawyoming.org or call 1-877-432-9955 for Legal Aid. They may be able to provide other legal assistance to eligible ERAP renters living in Wyoming such as:
- Lease agreement advice/negotiation
- Eviction defense
- Disputes that could lead to eviction
- Financial issues directly related to the home you rent (disputes about security deposits, damages claims, late fees, etc.)
- Issues related to the safety of the home you rent
- Financial matters affecting your ability to maintain or obtain housing such as: debt collection defense; federal benefits (SSI/SSDI); employment matters (FMLA, disability accommodations); and consumer protection actions to obtain tenant funds lost to scams.
Please note that housing stability services end in June. Seniors and individuals with disabilities may require specialized services to support their ability to access and maintain housing. The Wyoming Department of Health’s Aging Division can provide housing stability services for ERAP qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities such as:
- Home Modifications (to enable ‘aging in place’ or community-based living, for longer) up to $5,000 per client per grant period
- Trailer/Mobile Home Repairs (so long as you rent the lot) up to $5,000 per client per grant period
- Homemaking Services (homemaking, chores, cleaning),
- Personal Care – Skilled Nursing Services (RN, LPN, and CNA),
- Non-Medical Transportation
- Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) both cellular and landline
- Information Technology Hardware (up to $400 for a device that has video conferencing and audio recording ability),
- Information Technology Hardware – Quarterly monitoring (for device support and assistance over time)
- Independent Living Skills (life coaching and money management)
- Hoarding Services (cleaning that is different from homemaking and mental health counseling).
To learn more and apply online, please visit the WDH Aging Division’s website.
Please note that housing stability services end in June. Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking may require specialized services to support their ability to obtain and maintain safe housing. The Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault can provide housing stability services for ERAP eligible survivors such as:
- Repairs to rental properties due to domestic violence and not covered by landlord
- Accessibility/security services needed to obtain and maintain safe housing (cell phones, doorbell cameras, safety planning and processes, locksmith fees, security kits.)
- Transportation assistance when needed to obtain or maintain safe housing
- Material assistance needed to obtain or maintain safe housing
- Housing counseling, fair housing counseling and case management
- Application fees, background or credit check fees
- Translation and interpretation services
- Independent living skills training
To learn more, please contact Angie Fessler at the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at 307-755-5481 or email afessler@wyomingdvsa.org.