Instructions for filing an ERAP Application NOTE: We recommend using the Chrome browser when filling out your application. Chrome can be downloaded for free here (https://www.google.com/chrome). EMAIL ADDRESS Applying for rent assistance or utilities assistance online requires an email address. If you don't have an email address, you can sign up for one free at a number of sites: https://accounts.google.com/SignUp https://signup.live.com/signup https://login.yahoo.com/account/create If you would prefer to not use an email address, please fill out the paper application available at https://www.donaanacounty.org/rent-utilities-assistance/ and the completed application and backup can be emailed to ERAP@donaanacounty.org or mailed or hand delivered at the address below: Doña Ana County ATTN: Emergency Rental Assistance Program 845 N. Motel Blvd. Las Cruces, NM 88007 STEP 1: Register and Login Start by visiting the county website at: https://www.donaanacounty.org/rent-utilities-assistance/

This page provides information about the program and eligibility requirements. From that page, click on the link for [Start your Rent or Utility Assistance Application] to open the application form:

From the new page, click on [Register] then enter your email address, first and last name, and the password you'd like to use in the system. Once you submit, an email will be sent to your email address with a link to click to confirm your registration. Once you have confirmed your address, you will be able to login using the same link above. The email you received during signup will also contain a direct link to the online form page: https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ERAP-DONAANACOUNTYNM/participant Once you have logged in, you may want to set your preferred language. This can be done from your "Profile" settings by clicking the person icon in the upper right and selecting "My Profile":

From your profile page, just select your preferred language, and click [Update].

STEP 2: Create a new Application From this page you can start a tenant application or a landlord application. This document will show the Tenant application. The Landlord application is simpler and requires less explanation, so this document won’t address it. You can create a new application by clicking the "start a new application" link under the Tenant or Landlord section:

STEP 3 A: Eligibility The Eligibility section is four questions to determine if you MAY be eligible for assistance. This is intended to quickly eliminate people who don't meet the federal guidelines for this program in order to save them the time of filling the application only to discover that they aren't qualified. If you answer no to any of the 4 questions, stop now.

STEP 3 B: Applicant Info The Applicant information page is where you provide your contact information. In addition if you are helping another person fill out the application, please provide your contact info in B.15 - B.18.

STEP 3 C: Household In section C you must provide information about the people living in your household, and their employer if they have one. You may add as many as needed, but it is important to provide information for everyone in the household since the eligibility threshold is based on the number of people in your household.

If you click the (+) on the left hand side of an individual, you will see a link to add an employer and to set demographic information for that individual.

The employer information looks like:

STEP 3 D: Income Once you have set your household members, next you must enter your sources of income. For every income source you will need to upload documentation as proof of income. If you choose to provide your 2020 Income Tax return, you will not be required to provide proof of income, other than the tax return. However you will need to enter your adjusted income. Click on the "Upload File" link to attach the required documentation.

If you don't have, or choose not to provide your tax return, you will need to enter each of your income sources, and provide proof of that income:

The [Source] field can be any of a number of income types:

Job income will require two current pay stubs from the job. Other income types will require different documentation. STEP 3 E: COVID Impact This section of the form asks you what the impact of COVID has been on your income. There is also an option on this page to upload documentation of the income loss:

STEP 3 F: Rent Assistance The Rent Assistance section of the application allows you to provide contact information for your landlord, as well as the amount, month by month, that you are behind on your rent. You may also request up to three months of future rent assistance. If you have received an eviction notice from your landlord, please attach a copy using the "Upload File" link.

STEP 3 G: Utility Assistance The utility assistance section of the application allows you to request assistance for Electric, Gas, and Water/Sewer/Trash. Utility assistance does not cover other types of utilities such as phone or internet. The form has three columns, one for each type of utility covered.

Use the drop down at the top of the column to select your utility provider. If the utility provider does not appear, use the "Other" column below it to enter the name of your utility provider. Currently the following options are available:

In addition add your account number with the utility company, and enter the amount past due for each month.

STEP 3 H: Prior Assistance You must also provide information about any other assistance you have received. This is broken out into months. If you received assistance through governmental, non-governmental organizations including charities and faith based organizations, or from friends or family, it must be listed here.

STEP 3 I: Required Documents Other sections of the application had areas to upload documents specific to that section of the application. This section allows you to upload the generally required documents such as photo ID, or rental agreement. Please upload any documents you think will be helpful.

STEP 3 J: Submit The last step is to mark some attestations, and electronically sign the application. Please read and check each of the boxes, with the understanding that you are agreeing to the statements next to each check box.

Next click the box to electronically sign the application. Enter your name in the box, and click sign.

Once you complete and submit your application, you can't edit it any further, so please be sure that you have filled it out and completed every section before submitting. Next Steps

• Once the application is submitted it will be reviewed by the assigned personnel at Doña Ana County.

• If it has missing information, the applicant will be contacted. • The landlord will have to complete the landlord application and W-9. • The applicant can use the ID number assigned by the software to track the status of

their application. • The applicant will receive approval or denial email. • For the applications that are approved, the payments will be made directly to the

Landlord and/or Utility providers by Doña Ana County.