Help With Utility Bills For Renters

Landlord Information

Financial Assistance For Renters The VERAP also provides financial assistance for renters to help pay for rent and rental arrears and other expenses related to housing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about financial rental assistance, please see the VT State Housing Authority (VSHA) VERAP webpage.

What is VERAP?

VERAP was created to help renters dealing with financial challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For eligible households, the program offers rental and utility assistance to help Vermonters avoid eviction or loss of utility service. ERAP was established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

What does VERAP include?

VERAP helps tenant households with paying rent, past-due rent balances (also known as arrears), utility and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing. Rent expenses include rent and rent arrears. Utilities include separately billed electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal and energy costs, such as fuel oil.  

Eligible tenants can apply for utility bill assistance for help with up to months of past due or current bills ($10,000 maximum combined total).

Eligibility

To participate in the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program (ERAP) in Vermont (VERAP), renters must attest that:

One or more individuals in the household has experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
One or more individuals in the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and
The household has an income at or below 80% of county median income

Covered Utility Types

Electricity
Natural gas
Water and sewer
Trash removal
Fuel oil and other energy costs

Applying for Utility Assistance Only

If you are applying JUST for utility assistance and NOT applying for rental assistance you will need to fill out the complete rental assistance application and:

In the Rent Benefit amount, enter “0” for monthly rent and rent in arrears
Say “No” to future rent payments
Provide the landlord details and provide the documentation for the lease, which is a general requirement for the program
Answer the Utility question
Update the utility providers on the Utility screen (you can add as many utilities as applicable)
- If your utility is not listed, you can let the utility know they will need to register as a provider in order to receive funds from the program. If they choose not to register, you can receive payment directly. More information is provided in the VERAP-U APPLICANT AND SUPPLIER FAQS below.

Eligibility For VERAP

Who is eligible for VERAP?

Must be obligated to pay rent for a residential dwelling in Vermont.
Household member has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income
Household has incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Household can demonstrate risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The household has an income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) Vermont Income Limits.

What are the VERAP benefits?

Rent  (See VSHA Page for details).
Back rent (arrears) to April 1, 2020 (See VSHA Page for details).
Up to 12 months of past due and current utilities include: utility bills, including electric and gas, fuel oil, wood, pellet fuels , electricity, natural gas, water and sewer, trash removal, fuel oil and other energy costs.

What documentation will I need to apply?

2020 W-2s or Income Tax form (e.g., 1040).
Current pay stubs (last 2 months)
Lease or rental agreement, or letter of attestation from landlord
Eviction notice (if applicable)
Unemployment Compensation Benefits letter (if applicable)
Documentation for other income sources (Social Security or Disability, Child Support, Alimony, Pension as applicable)
Legal name of your landlord

Utility Information

VERAP-U APPLICANT FAQs

If I currently receive other forms of assistance, I am eligible for VERAP-U?

Even if you are receiving rental assistance through VERAP or a Reach-Up program, you may still qualify to receive assistance.

How do I know if I am eligible?

If you already applied for rental assistance and were found eligible, you will also qualify for this program.

What information do I need to provide for utility assistance?

Name of the utility provider, name on the account, co-account holder, or alternate name on the account, account number (if known), amount in arrears (if known).

How much assistance can I receive?

This program allows for a maximum of 15 months of payments per utility type, which can be extended to 18 months of benefit if your household remains eligible for the program.

What utilities are eligible?

The following utilities are eligible: electricity, natural gas, fuel (including natural gas, kerosene, diesel, #2 heating oil, biodiesel, propane, coal, firewood, wood pellets), trash removal, water, sewer, water & sewer combinations, compost, and recycling.

If landlords keep the water/wastewater accounts in their name but the tenant pays the bill directly to the vendor, can a tenant apply and be helped?

Yes, If the utility is not included in the lease agreement as part of the rent.

Can I request assistance for past due balances and prospective payments?

Yes, the utility assistance program can be used on past due balances and current payments.

Can I receive assistance for my business, camp or second home?

This program is for primary residences only. Residential customers must attest that the grant award that they are seeking is only for financial relief related to their primary residence.

How do I apply?

You can apply at the VERAP Applicant Portal. If you already applied for rental assistance, you will only need to fill out a supplemental application.

How long does it take to for my utility bill(s) to be paid?

The program may take about 30-40 days for payment directly to suppliers. This timeline may vary based on several factors including application completion.

What certifications will be required of residential applicants?

Applicants must certify and attest to a COVID-19–related economic hardship. Hardships include unemployment, layoff, reduced hours, health (had COVID or cared for someone with COVID), can’t work because no childcare is/was available, or school is/was closed.

What if my utility vendor does not want to participate in the program?

Your utility vendor will be contacted 3 times over 5 days. If they do not respond or choose not to participate in the program, you will receive payment directly. You will receive a notice through your preferred contact method about what information is needed to receive payment directly.

Utility Vendor FAQs

VERAP-U Vendor Portal Training

View the video below for training on how to use the VERAP-Utility Vendor Portal

How do I provide a current W9 and/or ACH?

If you have not participated in prior emergency utility programs, you must provide your W9 and ACH information by emailing it psd.utilityassistance@vermont.gov

Where can I get W9 or ACH forms?

Your direct deposit form must be mailed, emailed, or faxed. The direct deposit form contains specific directions to follow to submit the form.

How to register as a Utility Vendor in the portal?

In support of the continued Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Program, we would like to bring to your attention instructions on accessing the Owner Portal, completing questions, and requesting payments for your customers who have applied for Utility Assistance.

Please login to the Owner Portal located at the Owner/Vendor Portal Page

Please register:

By using the exact name as it appears on your W-9
Entering 9999 as your Tax ID

Once logged in, go to the Unit Certifications item in the left hand navigation menu. There you will see a list of customers who have applied for the Utility Assistance program. Complete the questions for each and then enter a payment request for the total amount due in arrears since April 1, 2020. You can also request payment for a current bill which has been invoiced but is not yet overdue. Upload a copy of the invoice that documents the amount in arrears and current bill due, if applicable. Finally, complete the Certification Page and esign.

The VERAP Caseworker will review your requests and schedule payments. If you have not yet provided a W9 and Direct Deposit information at the Vermont Utility Assistance Webpage, you can also upload these forms in the portal.

Please contact the Vermont Emergency Rental Assistance Call Center at 833-488-3727 (833-4VT-ERAP) with any questions. The center is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday.

How do I know if I am an eligible provider that can receive payments for accounts with outstanding balances?

The following utilities are eligible: electric, natural gas, fuel (including kerosene, diesel, #2 heating oil, biodiesel, propane, coal, firewood, wood pellets), trash, water, sewer, and water & sewer combinations. You must file a W9 with the State of Vermont.

Can a utility provider opt out of participating?

Yes. If you do this, the participant will receive funds directly.

How long will it take to receive funds?

The program may take up to 30 days for payment directly to providers.

Can I apply on behalf of my customer who has an outstanding balance?

No, this program is based on customers requesting assistance with their utility bills.

What information does a provider need to disclose for each applicant?

Eligible number of months in arrears and eligible amount in arrears.

Current monthly amount
Payment due date

If landlords keep the water/wastewater accounts in their name but the tenant pays the bill directly to the vendor, can a tenant apply and be helped?

Yes, if the tenant can produce evidence of having to pay the bill or having paid the bill. The vendor will have to certify the amount, etc.

How will I receive funds?

You will receive funds by paper check or direct deposit from the State of Vermont. You must complete a W9.

Once an application is approved, does the customer receive an email confirmation?

Once an Applicant is approved for the program, the Vendor will be able to view this through the Vendor Portal and can begin to submit payment requests. Applicants will also receive notifications when their applications have been approved to let them know that their utility supplier will begin receiving payment.