January ERAP Updates: OTDA ERAP portal CLOSED on January 20th, 2023 due to lack of funds

OTDA ERAP portal CLOSED on January 20th, 2023 due to lack of funds. OTDA (Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance) is currently processing eligible ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) applications submitted through November 30, 2022. This means that if a tenant submitted an ERAP application through OTDA before November 30, 2022, then OTDA will be denying or approving the application soon. Eviction proceedings should be stayed (temporarily stopped) if there is a pending ERAP application until there is a final decision including going through any appeals process. The Towns of Islip, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay have a separate portal where residents can apply. See the information below. 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’s paid portion of the rent and utilities that remain after adjustment by the subsidy provider for changes to household income. 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.