For Immediate
Release:
December 3, 2021
County
announces partnership with New Jersey SHARES to offer utility assistance
through ERAP
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth
County has partnered with New Jersey SHARES to offer utility assistance to income-eligible
tenants with up to 18 months of utility arrearages resulting from the COVID-19
pandemic through the Monmouth County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).
“The Monmouth County ERAP program
continues to find innovative ways to provide tenants and landlords with financial
resources to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone. “I want to thank our partners at New Jersey SHARES
for working with us to provide this opportunity to our residents. Tenants affected
will be able to access a variety of utility assistance options through New Jersey
SHARES including but not limited to electric, gas, water, and/or similar expenses.”
“Through this important
partnership with Monmouth County, we welcome the opportunity to put our long-standing working
relationship with the State’s regulated utilities to work for the County’s
tenants,” said NJ SHARES CEO Cheryl Stowell. “These important ERAP funds will
provide up to 18 months of utility arrearage assistance for those tenants impacted
by the COVID-19 pandemic and meet the program eligibility requirements. Tenants
who have experienced a loss of income or significant financial hardship and are
burdened with significant natural gas or electric bills can contact New Jersey
SHARES directly for assistance.”
Monmouth County tenants with outstanding
utility bills can contact New Jersey SHARES by calling 1-866-657-4273 Monday
through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or by visiting their website at https://njshares.org/monmouth-county-apply/https://njshares.org/monmouth-county-apply/. Text messaging is also available – text HELP to 64405 to connect with a
New Jersey SHARES customer service representative. Message and data rates may
apply.
The purpose of the Monmouth
County ERAP is to prevent evictions and homelessness by providing rental
assistance for eligible households in Monmouth County making less than 80% of
area median income (AMI) in accordance with the federal program guidelines.
“The County and its partners continue
to work tirelessly to help identify potential applicants for the Monmouth County
ERAP program and assist them with the application process,” said Commissioner
Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley. “If you or someone you know is in need of emergency
rental assistance, please visit www.monmouthcountyerap.com or call (848) 801-1297 between
8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on
Saturday. If you need further assistance, you can also contact Monmouth ACTS at
www.monmouthacts.org or call them at 732-683-2102.”
The Monmouth County ERAP will allow
eligible households to receive up to $30,000 for rental costs incurred on or
after March 13, 2020.
The County has received direct funding allocation in
the total amount of $38,410,914.20 from the United States Department of
Treasury under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP 1”, “ERAP 2” and
“ERAP 2 High Need”).
For more information, visit
www.monmouthcountyerap.com or call (848) 801-1297 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm
Monday through Friday or 8:00 am and 1:00 pm on Saturday.
# # #