March 8, 2023: Due to limited funding remaining, the Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Program (EPRAP) is no longer selecting people from the waitlist or accepting new applications for rental assistance. Submitting a form below is not an application for rental assistance, it only gets you on a waitlist for help, if funding is available. If additional funding does become available and you are selected from the waitlist, you will be notified via email. Continue to visit www.uwkc.org/renthelp for updates regarding rental assistance and call 2-1-1 for more resources.
If you live in King County or the City of Seattle, get on the list below if you need rent help. Limited funds are available to help King County residents with much-needed rental assistance.
Rent Assistance Eligibility
- Your household MUST owe back rent at your current address.
- Your CURRENT address must be in King County, WA.
- Your household income must not exceed 80% Area Median Income (AMI) for household size.
PLEASE COMPLETE ONLY ONE FORM FOR ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD. Household = living together and/or on the same lease. Each household member does not need to complete this form. Submitting a second form DOES NOT increase your chances of getting selected or receiving assistance.
If you receive a validation error after submission of the form it means you are already on the list and do not need to submit another form.
FAQ for Renters
When will the application be available and how do I apply?
If you are behind in rent, you can complete this one-minute interest form and we will contact you if you are selected to formally apply to receive rent assistance. At that time, we will send you information about the next steps you will have to complete to be considered for eligibility of rental assistance.
Visit King County’s website to stay updated on current information.
I completed the interest survey posted on United Way of King County’s website before the program launched. Do I still need to complete the application?
Yes, you still need to complete an application for rent assistance. The survey was used for notification purposes only.
What are the eligibility requirements to receive assistance?
The following must apply to you:
- Your income is at or below the 80% median area income.
- You have at least one month of unpaid rent between March 2020-present.
- You have been financially impacted by COVID-19 (including job loss, reduction of income, sickness of yourself or a household member, or loss of childcare services).
What information do I need to complete the application?
You will need the following information:
- Your landlord/property managers name, phone number and email address.
- Basic information about your household such as your address, monthly rent amount, types of income sources and income amount.
Tenants will need to document their income and housing instability, but an agency staff member can help with self-attestations if the tenant is unable to provide proof of this information. Tenants will not be exclude from assistance if they can’t document their income and housing instability.
You will not be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). There are no citizenship requirements to receive assistance.
How many months of assistance am I eligible to receive?
The amount of assistance you receive is determined by what your household owes. Our program is able to provide up to 15 months of rental assistance, which could include up to 3 months of future rent, if you are eligible.
What information do you need from my landlord/property manager?
Your landlord/property manager will need to provide a lease, written documentation of the charges and payments to your rental account (rent ledger) and W-9 for payment processing. Other documentation may be required as needed. This will be resolved by the case manager processing your assistance.
You do not have to contact your landlord/property manager for these documents; that is the responsibility of your case manager.
Do I have to pay this assistance back? Is it a loan?
No, rental assistance funds are provided by the federal government as a grant. They are NOT a loan and do not have to be paid back.
How will I know if I am chosen to receive assistance?
You will be contacted by a case manager if you are selected to receive rent assistance funds. Monitor the email address and phone number you provided on your application; check your spam/junk folders.
Once approved, how long will it take for my landlord/property manager to receive the payment?
We encourage all landlord/property managers to opt into receiving payments via direct deposit, so funds can be received within the week of approval. However, if a payment is mailed, the landlord/property manager should receive the payment within two weeks of approval.
My landlord/property manager will not participate in this program. What can I do?
If you are selected for rental assistance and your landlord/property manager refuses to participate or refuses to accept the terms of assistance, talk to your case manager.
FAQ for Landlord/Property Managers
What terms are associated with accepting rent assistance through this program?
Full terms can be found in this document.
Landlord/property manager must agree to the following:
- You accept the rent assistance offer as full satisfaction for all balances through the agreement date.
- You agree to waive all late fees through the agreement date.
- You will not evict, refuse to renew the lease, or raise the rent for this unit the date listed on the payment agreement form.
What information do I need to provide to complete this process?
You must provide a rent ledger (or proof of payments/charges for unit), a lease and a completed W9. You will also be required to sign a formal rent assistance offer once your case manager determines the tenant’s assistance amount.
Will I/why do I have to forgive any past-due rent/charges that the assistance does not cover?
Possibly. If your tenant owes more rental arrears than our assistance can cover, you will be required to forgive that excess amount owed in order to receive rental assistance funds. This is done to ensure that tenants are brought to a current ($0) for the current month and will be less likely to face eviction.
Why is the payment standard less than the tenant’s monthly rent amount?
The payment standard for each unit is determined by fair market rent under HUD guidelines. This allows the program to stretch its dollars and ensure that the maximum number of tenants and landlords/property managers are served.
Will I have to report this income to the IRS when I file my taxes?
All rental assistance funds you receive must be reported to the IRS as income and you will receive a 1099 in the mail next tax season. Please note that any rent balances you forgive may also be claimed on your taxes as a business deduction/loss.
What do I do if it has been more than 2 weeks since approval and I still have not received my payment?
Contact the case manager that you worked with and fill out the Support Form on this page. They will be able to check the status of your payment/resolve any delays.
Who should I contact if I have questions/concerns after my tenant and I have been served?
Contact the case manager that you worked with. Or you can fill out the Support Form on this webpage.
Do you have any mortgage assistance programs/referrals?
This program is specifically for rent assistance. For mortgage resources and assistance, visit https://dfi.wa.gov/homeownership.
Contact Information
Direct any questions or requests for accommodations to us by filling our online support form below. The Support Form is the best way for us to help you. You can also access the online support form here: https://bit.ly/RentHelpSupport.
If you need to send a full or partial Rental Assistance Reimbursement Payment to United Way of King County, please complete this document – https://docdro.id/RPRJRG1 – and include with the check as well as when submitting the Support Form below. This form gives United Way the authority to track the details and payment of the original check and ensure program compliance.
If you do not have access to the form, you can call United Way of King County at (206) 461-3700 and leave a voicemail at the Community Services – Rental Assistance Phone Line. Note: the Rent Help Line is reserved for renters that do not have Internet access. Please use the online Support Form above if you are able.
Helpful Information & Additional Resources
Visit King County Bar Association for more information and click here to understand your rights under the Bridge Proclamation.
- The Eviction Moratorium ‘bridge’ proclamation was created on July 1, 2021. This means that landlords are prohibited from evicting a tenant for past rent due from Feb. 29, 2020 through July 31, 2021. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from treating past unpaid rent or other charges as an enforceable debt until the landlord and tenant have been provided with an opportunity to resolve nonpayment through a rental assistance program. Click here for more details.
- Beginning August 1, 2021 renters are expected to pay full rent, reduced rent negotiated with landlord, or actively seek rental assistance funding. Landlords may only evict a tenant if none of those actions are being taken but must offer the tenant a reasonable re-payment plan before beginning the eviction process. Tenants must also be provided, in writing, the services and support available. Click here for more information.
- City of Seattle’s Renting in Seattle helpline is available during most business hours at 206-684-5700. Language assistance is available through the helpline.
- For a more complete look at the City’s renter protections look at www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle.
Resources
- Whether you’re unemployed, looking for help paying your utility bills, or trying to find out where to access nutritious meals, you can find a comprehensive list of resources here.
- Click here for a helpful document on talking to your landlord/property manager.
- If you are a low-income renter and have received an eviction notice, please contact the Housing Justice Project.
- To better understand your rights as a renter and/or receive tenants rights counseling, check out Tenants Union.
- If you need legal aid, check out the Northwest Justice Project.
- Helpful information about legal and eviction support in Washington State.
- Conflict Resolution Center for tenants living in Bellevue and Kirkland only.
- Washington State Attorney General’s Office (Information on Landlord/Tenant Law, Proclamation, SB 5160, Eviction Resolution Program Notices in multiple languages)
- King County Superior Court Standing Order (sets forth expectations for participation in the Eviction Resolution Program)
Thank you to our community partners
Other Help during the COVID-19 Crisis:
Whether you’re unemployed, looking for help paying your utility bills or trying to find out where to access nutritious meals, you can find a comprehensive list of resources here.
Are you looking to donate and make even more rental assistance available to keep more people in their homes??
Donate here to support this program!
Thank you to our key partners:
