Upcoming Clinics, Events, and Legal Help Resources: December 2022
December 7, 2022The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) started new program year on October 1, 2022
December 7, 2022OTDA (Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance) is currently processing eligible ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) applications submitted through September 30, 2022. This means that if a tenant submitted an ERAP application through OTDA before September 30, 2022 then OTDA will be denying or approving the application soon. Although some towns (such as Town of Brookhaven) have spent their allocated ERAP funds, residents in all towns can still apply for ERAP through the OTDA portal. Although the application may not be approved due to lack of funds, any eviction proceeding should be stayed if there is a pending ERAP application until there is a final decision including going through any appeals process. Town of Islip, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay have a separate portal where residents can apply. The Town of Oyster Bay’s ERAP program has reopened! For the New York State Program, applications from subsidized housing tenants whose rent is limited to a certain percentage of income (e.g. section 8) are not currently able to be paid. State law requires that these applications be paid after all other eligible applicants have been reviewed and paid. Therefore, at this time, none of the subsidized housing applications can be paid regardless of the date their application was submitted. For the Oyster Bay and Hempstead programs, subsidized housing tenants may apply but only to the extent of the tenant paid portion of the rent and utilities that remains after adjustment by the subsidy provider for changes to household income. Long Island residents with rental and utility arrears should apply now for assistance before the funds run out. If you receive a decision on your ERAP application that you disagree with, make sure to appeal within thirty (30) days by calling 844-691-7368 or filling out the OTDA online application form. To apply and determine eligibility, visit the OTDA website.
Residents of Hempstead
ERAP program is currently not accepting applications. The portal will reopen December 9th at 9:00 am! For more information, call 631-435-4710 or email hempsteaderap@lihp.org.
Residents of Islip
Apply through Town of Islip: Community Development Agency (islipcda.org). Questions? Call (631) 647-5683 or email erap@islipcda.org
Residents of Oyster Bay
ERAP Program is currently accepting applications. For more information, visit Town of Oyster Bay Emergency Rental Assistance Program (lihp.org). Questions? Call (631) 435-4710 or email oysterbayerap@lihp.org.
Other Long Island Towns
Apply through the New York State website: Emergency Rental Assistance Program OTDA (ny.gov).
OTHER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Suffolk and Nassau County DSS- The Department of Social Services has programs available to provide help with receiving shelter or rent arrears to prevent homelessness. Please visit https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp to find the contact information for your local Department of Social Services.
Nassau Suffolk Law Services, in partnership with Empire Justice Center, can now assist Nassau and Suffolk residential tenants with housing-related legal problems (like eviction) and a household income of up to 80% of the Area Median Income. Services are available through this partnership regardless of immigration status. Please call the office closest to you to see if you are eligible for legal services. Interpreters are available. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100. Feel free to share our flyer in both English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole
