COVID-19
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Bergen County- Emergency Rental Relief Program
Has the COVID 19 pandemic caused you to fall behind on your rent?
Are you a landlord with tenants facing months of outstanding rent?
Relief is on the way! You may be eligible for Bergen County's Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance Program which covers past rent & utilities up dating back to March 2020/.
For direct assistance with the application process, please call Greater Bergen Community Action at 201-464-8970. For any questions about the program please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) will provide temporary rental assistance to low- and moderate-income households that have had a substantial reduction in income or became unemployed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the information below and the attached FAQ guide about the program. Please share this information with your constituents.
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP)
For complete details and information please visit: https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/cverap.html
Applicants may be eligible for a maximum of up to six months of emergency rental assistance. CVERAP Pre-applications will only be accepted online.
The Enrollment Period is Monday, July 6, 2020, at 9:00 am until Friday, July 10, 2020, at 5:00 pm
All participants will be reviewed at the three-month interval to see if they are still in need of assistance. Persons applying must meet all applicable CVERAP income and eligibility requirements. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Only one (1) pre-application per household will be accepted. All participants will be selected through an online lottery process.
Anyone selected for the program must meet the following requirements:
· Have a gross, annual household income that is at or below the maximum income limits for the county where they are residing
· Be a New Jersey resident and rent a unit in New Jersey
· Rent must be current as of March 2020; this program will not assist with arrears
· Have a substantial reduction in income or are currently receiving unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic
· Have a lack of assets and savings to pay rent
· Will pay a minimum of 30 percent of their income towards the rent
· Anyone currently receiving a subsidy from another rental assistance program or living in Public Housing is ineligible
For more information, dial 609-292-4080 or 551-249-2687. You can also visit: https://www.nj.gov/dca/vouchers.html , which includes information on the Maximum Income Limits and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for this Program.
COUNTY OF BERGEN ANNOUNCES GRANT PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR MUNICIPALTIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Bergen County CARES provides Direct Reimbursement to Municipalities and Small Business Grants up to $10,000 for eligible local businesses
HACKENSACK, N.J. - Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco announces that the County of Bergen will launch a grant program to provide relief for municipalities straddled with expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic and small businesses financially impacted by the government ordered shutdown. The programs, which utilize CARES Act relief funds, will provide direct reimbursement to municipalities for costs associated with health officials, law enforcement, personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing improvements. "Non-essential" businesses that were forced to close as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 can receive up to $10,000 in financial relief to cover rent, property mortgage, and utilities expenses.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious financial impact on governments and business communities across the country. It is important that we use available resources to support the municipalities in their efforts to combat the spread of the pandemic and one of the hardest hit sectors, small, mom and pop shops, who were forced to close their doors. These local businesses are the backbone of Main Street, Bergen County and it is important to support our fellow neighbors as we begin to reopen. This is why I am proud to announce the Bergen County CARES Municipal Reimbursement and Small Business Grant Programs," said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.
"We understand our small Main Street businesses deemed non-essential during the shutdown have struggled to survive. Your continued survival and thriving is essential to us in Bergen County, and we encourage you to apply for this assistance with your rent, business mortgage, utility or other costs," said Bergen County Freeholder Chairwoman Mary Amoroso. "We are also sensitive to the challenges our municipalities face to provide the critical resources needed to end this pandemic."
Under the Bergen CARES Municipal Reimbursement Program, all 70 municipalities are entitled to direct reimbursement 1 from the County for COVID-19 related expenses identified in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These expenses include payroll expenses for health care workers and public safety employees, PPE and building improvements.
To qualify for the Bergen County CARES Small Business Grant program, scheduled to receive applications mid-July, businesses must fall under the following criteria:
• Businesses with a physical location in Bergen County, NJ. Home-based businesses are eligible.
• Businesses deemed "non-essential" within the classification of "Businesses Required to Close" as per the Governor's Executive Order No. 104, dated March 16, 2020
• Businesses with 1 - 19 full-time employees
• Sole-proprietorships; LLCs; LLPs; Corporations; and S-Corporations are eligible.
• Businesses owned by county employees and elected officials, as well as their immediate families, are not eligible
• Businesses must have been open and operating on March 1, 2020
Priority will first be given to businesses who have not received any Federal grant assistance, New Jersey Economic Development Authority grants or US Small Business Administration grant or other grant assistance.
The Bergen County CARES Municipal Reimbursement and Small Business Grant Programs are funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal relief fund. The County of Bergen intends to begin accepting applications for both programs by the end of the month. A subsequent announcement will be made regarding the small business grant application process. Questions about the County's grant programs can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .