Application
Applications for Tenants:
(Do NOT Re-apply here- Please see Re-Application for more information)
“Please note that successful submission of a completed application does not guarantee eligibility or approval of ERA Program assistance. Applications will be reviewed and approved based on eligibility, available funds, and any and all other relevant factors contained in the St. Joseph County ERA Program Policy Manual and/or the applicable enabling legislation and accompanying guidance and grant terms. Between application and re-application for utility assistance payments, it is the tenant(s)’ responsibility to make utility payments. Any amounts owed by tenant(s) which are not eligible for ERA Program assistance are the responsibility of the tenant.”
TENANT LINK: https://sjcindiana.communityos.org/initial-tenant
ENLACE DE INQUILIINO EN ESPANOL: https://sjcindiana.communityos.org/initial-tenant-spanish
Applications for Landlords:
LANDLORD LINK: https://sjcindiana.communityos.org/initial-landlord-entry
Documents you will need to apply:
- Proof of Identification: Driver's License, State Identification Card, SBID or Passport
- Landlord/property manager: name, address, email, and phone number
- Invoice/Bill for each requested utility assistance and back-owed rent
- Leasing Agreement. If you have it available it will speed up the process.
At least one of the following:
- Notice of past due rent
- Notice of eviction
- Past due utility bill
- Utility disconnect notice
- Other proof of housing instability verification
At least one of the following:
- Wage statement
- Unemployment benefit statement
- Pay stubs showing income before and after a reduction in salary or hours
- 2020 IRS Form 1040
- Benefits letter from one of the following programs: SSI, SSD, SNAP, WIC, HIP, TANF, and/or national school breakfast and lunch program for Indiana
Need additional assistance applying for ERA? Contact agencies below for potential walk-in and appointment hours or phone support.
St. Vincent de Paul Society 520 Crescent Ave. South Bend, IN 46617 Phone: 574-234-6000 | Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Inc. 1817 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613 Phone: 574-234-3111 |
REAL Services, Inc. 1151 S. Michigan St. South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-284-2061 | United Religious Community of St. Joseph County 501 N. Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-282-2397 x 2 Email: urcsjc@gmail.com |
Indiana Parenting Institute of St. Joseph County 215 W. Madison St. South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-404-6170 Web: https://ipi-sjc.org/ | St. Joseph County, ERA Program 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. 2nd Floor, South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: 574-800-6242 Email: sjcera@sjcindiana.com |
enFocus (Processing Team for St. Joseph County) 635 S. Lafayette Blvd. # 123L, South Bend, IN 46601 Phone: (574) 400-5721 |
Application Process
- Application Submitted by Tenant
- Email confirmation with Status Token sent to tenant.
- Email alert sent to Landlord for Verification and supporting documents - Status "Pending - Landlord Data"
- Once Landlord provides information the application is in queue to get assigned to an agency for processing - Status "In Processing"
- Agency will be assigned applications based on Priority Statuses. Once assigned Status can change to several other categories such as Review for Funding, Agency Review, Payment Submitted or Administrator Review.
- Once Review Process is complete tenant and landlord will be emailed with a Status "Approved or Denied".
An applicant for ERA assistance of any kind (rental, utilities, other expenses (hotel/motel) whose application is deemed ineligible by a Partner Agency may appeal the determination as follows. Failure to adhere to this appeal process shall result in a waiver of appeal rights.
- Within two (2) weeks of receipt of an ineligibility determination, the applicant may submit a dispute of this determination in writing to the Partner Agency. The dispute must state the reasons the applicant believes they should not have been denied.
- If the employee determines that the applicant is eligible and the initial determination was in error, the application shall be re-processed as eligible and assistance provided.
- If the highest ranking employee after this review determines the initial determination was correct, the applicant shall be informed of this fact in writing.
- If the employee determines that the applicant is eligible and the initial determination was in error, the application shall be re-processed as eligible and assistance provided.
- Within two (2) weeks of receiving a negative determination from the review above, the applicant may submit a dispute of this determination in writing to the ERA Administrator at St. Joseph County, Indiana. The dispute must state the reasons the applicant believes they should not have been denied.
- Within ten (10) days of receiving a dispute in writing, the ERA Administrator and County ERA Working Group shall review the applicant’s dispute and application with associated documentation for eligibility under this Policy Manual and applicable law and guidance. If the ERA Administrator and Working Group determine that the applicant is eligible and the initial determination was in error, the application shall be re-processed as eligible and assistance provided.
- A negative determination at this level is considered final and no further appeal is available.
- Within ten (10) days of receiving a dispute in writing, the ERA Administrator and County ERA Working Group shall review the applicant’s dispute and application with associated documentation for eligibility under this Policy Manual and applicable law and guidance. If the ERA Administrator and Working Group determine that the applicant is eligible and the initial determination was in error, the application shall be re-processed as eligible and assistance provided.
Address to file an appeal:
St. Joseph County ERA Program
Corey Szczypka
227 W. Jefferson Blvd. I 2nd Fl.
South Bend, IN 46601