Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA)

Updated 02/24/22

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is eligible for the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA)

program?

Tenants and landlords who meet all of the following criteria may qualify

for this program:

Household is renting:

The household must be renting. Renters must be living in the

residence for which they are requesting assistance and have a

written lease agreement. The residence must be the household's

primary residence and located in the State of Kansas. No resident of

the household must have ownership in the property for which they

are requesting rental assistance. If a landlord and tenant are living in

the same home or property and have the same address which is

not distinguished to be a different unit number or address, we are

unable to grant that applicant ERA funds. A signed lease that

identifies the unit being rented and the rental payment amount

will be required as part of the application.

Risk of Homelessness or Housing Instability:

One or more household members can attest to being at risk of

homelessness or experiencing housing instability. Attestation that

one or more household members has received a past-due utility bill,

past-due rent notice, or an eviction notice anytime since April 1, 2020

will be required.

Financial Hardship:

One or more household members can attest how a financial

hardship occurring between April 2020 and the present has

Updated 02/24/22

impacted their ability to pay rent or utilities. This may include

qualifying for unemployment benefits, experiencing a reduction of

household income, and/or incurring significant costs or

experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic (directly or

indirectly).

Income Eligibility:

Applicant must attest that the household’s income, for which

documentation is not immediately available, does not exceed 80% of

the Area Median Income (AMI) for the area in which the household is

located as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) and the applicant’s home county.

Documentation will be required during the application process.

Proof of Identification:

The household must be able to demonstrate their identity.

Q. What types of rental properties are eligible for assistance?

The following types of residential rental properties are

available for the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance

(KERA):

• Apartments

• Single-family homes

• Manufactured homes

• Manufactured home lots

Sublet or sublease arrangements are not eligible for KERA.

Q. Can I apply for assistance on a second home or a vacation home?

No. The property for which rental assistance is provided must be the

tenant’s primary residence.

Q. What costs will KERA cover?

KERA will provide assistance for residential rent for a period not to

exceed 15 months. This period can be extended an additional

three months (total of 18 months) if the extension is necessary to

ensure housing stability. Rental assistance for past-due amounts

and reasonable rental late fees from April 1, 2020 will be allowed.

Other fees covered by KERA may include: reasonable rental

Updated 02/24/22

security deposits, application or screening fees, pet fees, utility

fees, parking fees, garage fees, and/or legal fees. The tenant is also

eligible to receive the refund of the ERA-funded security deposit if

they had a rental period of at least four months. KERA will cover

past-due utility assistance including: electricity, gas, home energy

services, water, sewer, trash removal, and 12 months of residential

internet service at a flat fee of $50 per month, paid in one lump

sum of $900 to the internet provider.

Q. Will the KERA program cover the cost of internet service?

Yes. KERA will credit an applicant’s internet service account in the

amount of $50/month for 18 months, in a lump sum of $900,

which can be applied to past due or future internet costs.

Q. What if I have rental arrears prior to April 1, 2020?

KERA will not provide assistance for months prior to April 1,

2020. We encourage tenants to work out a payment plan with

their landlord to ensure housing stability for the household.

Q. What if I am current on my rent but I am having trouble paying my future

rent, do I qualify for KERA?

It depends. If you meet all five of the eligibility criteria, KERA will allow for

assistance even if you do not owe rental arrears for a period of three

prospective months. The tenant will need to recertify every three months to

continue the future assistance.

Q. What if I heat my home with firewood, wood pellets or delivered

propane? Can I still apply for utility assistance to cover those costs?

Yes. Those expenses will be eligible for KERA assistance if you pay a third

party for the product or service.

Q. Can I apply for KERA if I live with roommates?

Updated 02/24/22

Yes. Everyone living in the unit is considered part of the

household and must apply together.

Q. Can I apply if my rent is subsidized by another organization or

program?

Yes. KHRC must review the household’s income and sources of

assistance to ensure that KERA does not duplicate any other

assistance.

Please note: If an eligible household receives a monthly federal

subsidy (e.g., a Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, or Project-

Based Rental Assistance) and the tenant rent is adjusted according

to changes in income, the renter household should request an

interim recertification to recalculate their tenant rent before

applying for KERA assistance.

Q. Can I apply if I have received other COVID-related rental assistance?

Applicants who have received COVID-related rental assistance are still

eligible for the KERA program, provided they are not seeking KERA

assistance for the same months for which they received rental, utility or

internet assistance from other sources.

Q. I received federal rent assistance through the KEPP program. Am I eligible

to receive KERA assistance?

Yes. You will need to apply and qualify separately for the KERA program.

Receiving KEPP assistance does not disqualify you for KERA assistance, but

you will not be eligible to receive KERA assistance for the same months for

which you already received KEPP assistance.

Q. I qualified for KEPP. You already have my information. Why do I need to

re-apply?

Unfortunately, these are two separate programs with different

requirements. This means we have to ask different questions and evaluate

your current situation. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Q. How can I apply for assistance?

Updated 02/24/22

Please visit our website at kshousingcorp.org to learn more about KERA and

apply online.

Application process:

• Landlord completes online certification (for renters)

• Tenant submits online application.

• Landlord and tenant are notified when application is processed.

• If approved, landlord and/or service provider(s) receive funds directly

from KERA.

• Landlord and/or service provider(s) apply assistance to tenant account.

Q. What supporting documentation will I need to provide when submitting

my KERA application?

For renters, landlords will need to provide:

•

• Copy of voided check.

• Rent roll showing tenant name, unit number, and outstanding rent

amount

• Lease

• Certification / agreement that tenant will provide KHRC any

reasonably requested documents required to fulfill KHRC’s

compliance responsibilities and reimburse KHRC for any

ineligible payments paid with tenant’s knowledge.

Tenants will need to provide self-attestations where documentation is not

immediately available, as well as proof of identity, as outlined in the program

eligibility requirements.

Q. I am a tenant. What will I need to provide to prove my household is

renting?

A current lease agreement signed by both the tenant and landlord is the

preferred method. If a lease cannot be provided other documentation

may be acceptable such as a utility bill, attestation from the landlord or

Updated 02/24/22

management agent, or cancelled checks or bank statements showing

payments to the landlord.

Q. I am a tenant. What will I need to provide for proof of housing

instability or homelessness?

Attestation that one or more household members has received a past-due

utility bill, past-due rent notice, or an eviction notice anytime since April 1,

2020 will be required.

Q. I am a tenant. What will I need to provide to prove my COVID hardship?

Tenants must provide attestation that they qualified for unemployment,

that a household member experienced a reduction in household income,

or that they incurred significant costs or experienced other financial

hardship during to the pandemic, any time between April 2020 and the

present.

Q. I am tenant. What will I need to provide to prove income eligibility?

1. Income Eligibility:

Applicant must attest that the household’s income, for which

documentation is not immediately available does not exceed 80%

of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the area in which the

household is located as determined by the Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD). Income eligibility will be

determined using one of the following methods below (a, b, or c):

a. 2020 Federal Income Tax Return:

Adjusted gross income as reported on the IRS Form 1040 Federal

Income tax form as filed with the IRS for the household. This is

the preferred method of verifying income eligibility.

b. 2020 Annual Income:

If the household hasn’t submitted a 2020 federal income tax

return, the household may provide documentation to determine

2020 annual income. The annual income calculation will be

determined using HUD’s definition of annual income provided in

24 CFR 5.609. The following source documents will be required to

determine total annual income, as applicable:

i. W-2 Wage Statement;

Updated 02/24/22

ii. IRS Form 1099 Interest statement, Unemployment

compensation statement, Social Security, annuities, insurance

policies, retirement funds, pensions, disability or death benefits

and other similar types of periodic receipts;

iii. Documentation of the net income from the operation of a

business or profession, including direct payments for services

or self-employment including for self-employed Individuals;

iv. Documentation of public assistance cash benefits (TANF);

v. Documentation of child support and/or alimony payments.

c. Household Monthly Income:

i. Wages: If employed, pay stubs for the prior four to six weeks or

two months, if paid monthly. Pay stubs should be the most

recent and just prior to the date for which household seeks

assistance. If a household has inconsistent income--for

example, they work varied hours--additional pay stubs may be

required. If the tenant is unable to provide pay stubs,

employer verification will be required. Verification form or

letter should be on employee letterhead stating the wage,

number of hours worked, pay frequency, overtime,

commissions, tips, bonuses, and any additional pay;

ii. Periodic Payments: Award letters or documentation (such as

bank statements) of Social Security, annuities, insurance

policies, retirement funds, pensions;

iii. Form 1099 Interest statement (or recent statement showing

amount of income and frequency of payment),

unemployment compensation statement, Social Security,

annuities, insurance policies, retirement funds, pensions,

annuities, capital gain, disability or death benefits, or other

similar types of periodic receipts;

iv. Documentation of the net income from the operation of a

business or profession, including direct payments for services

for self-employed Individuals;

v. Bank statements (covering at least two consecutive months

prior to the submission of the application);

vi. Documentation of public assistance cash benefits (TANF);

vii. Documentation of child support and/or alimony payments;

viii. Zero Income: If household is without income, self-

certification of zero income will be required.

Note: Households choosing the monthly income method listed above must

complete a recertification of income every three months for the duration of

assistance.

Updated 02/24/22

Q. What if I don’t have access to a scanner or fax machine in order to

submit the required documentation?

You may submit documents using a smartphone by taking a

picture of the document and uploading the picture into the

application system. All the information on the picture must be

clear and easily readable.

Some office supply locations may offer complimentary faxing and

scanning services for COVID-related relief. Inform the staff or manager

that you are applying for a state-assisted program and ask if their location

offers complimentary faxing and scanning services.

Find a list of community partners available to assist you in completing

your application on our website, https://kshousingcorp.org/kera-search/.

Q. What should I do if I realize I made a mistake in my application after

submission?

Please log back into your application and send us a message through your

portal.

Q. How will I know the status of my application?

You may log into your application portal and see what stage of the

process your application is in at any time.

Q. If my application was determined to be ineligible for assistance or

my application was determined to be incomplete due to missing

documentation, can I reapply?

Please first work through your application portal to communicate

with us about your application. This allows you the capability to

supply missing information and not lose your spot in the application

priority list.

Q. If I have already received KERA rental assistance, and I have now lost my

job and I am needing future rent help, can I apply again?

Yes, you may recertify your application and receive future rental

assistance for up to three months in advance with a maximum length

of assistance of 18 months.

Updated 02/24/22

Q. The previous rental assistance program (KEPP) had a $5000

maximum limit. Is there a limit or cap on funds for KERA?

No, there is no monetary cap for KERA rent or utility assistance. However,

there is a time limit: 15 months, with the possibility of a three-month

extension, totaling 18 months.

Q. I owe a small amount of rent for April 2020; however, I have paid a

portion of my rent in the following months. Does that past due rent in

April count as a month in my 18-month cap?

Yes, we encourage you to work with your landlord to apply your payments to

the most past due rent in order to allow more months for assistance.

Q. Can I request more than one month of assistance?

Yes. Approved applicants are eligible for a maximum of 15 months

of assistance, with a possibility of an extension of three months for a

total of 18 months. This also applies for utilities.

Q. I am not past due on rent. Can I apply for utilities only?

Yes. You will still need to meet all of the eligibility criteria.

Q. I am a homeowner. Can I apply for utilities and internet assistance?

Unfortunately, no. KERA funds are only available for those who meet the five

eligibility criteria, which includes renting your home.

For mortgage assistance, please visit our webpage for the Kansas

Homeowners Assistance Fund here: https://kshousingcorp.org/kansas-

homeowner-assistance-fund/

Q. If a renter has been evicted and/ or moved from the unit, are they eligible

for assistance with this program?

Yes, as long as the tenant was residing in the unit for which they requested

KERA assistance at the time of submitting their application. In this case, the

landlord would be compensated for the past-due rental amounts requested

so that the tenant would no longer be held liable.

Updated 02/24/22

If an eligible household applies after being evicted, they will be referred to a

Bridge to Housing Stability provider to assist them with emergency housing

and rapid rehousing solutions.

Q. I have an eviction pending. Can this program assist me?

Yes. If you have a pending eviction due to COVID-related non-payment of

rent you may still apply, provided you have not been evicted and removed

from the unit. Please inform your landlord, legal representation, financial

counseling agency, and/or county judge (if applicable) that you have applied

for this program and present them with your KERA pre-qualification letter.

Q. Am I guaranteed assistance once I apply?

No applicant is guaranteed KERA assistance. Only complete applications

that include all required documentation will be reviewed for eligibility.

Applicants who receive notice of incomplete application must submit

all required documentation to move their application forward and be

considered for funding. Incomplete applications will be held until all

required information is received. Assistance will be awarded to eligible

applicants with complete applications if funding is available. Due to the

short application window and limited funding, applicants are

encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants who fail to provide

all required information or do not meet the program’s requirements will

not receive assistance.

Q. My rent is due by the first of the month. Can assistance be provided to my

landlord that fast? How long will it take to receive approval and payment?

Once an application is determined eligible, rental assistance will be

provided directly to the landlord or property owner to whom it is due as

soon as possible. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, at

this time we cannot guarantee a timeframe for application review and

processing. Applicants who receive notice of an incomplete application

must provide all necessary information to move their application forward.

Funding will not be reserved for incomplete applications. Please continue

to try to make rent payments and communicate with your landlord while

your application is pending.

Updated 02/24/22

Q. If I receive eviction assistance through KERA, can I still be evicted?

Before a landlord can receive KERA assistance, they must certify that

they will not evict the household for nonpayment of rent for the months

of KERA rental assistance received. If the tenant fails to pay future rent not

covered by KERA or fails to meet other non-payment related obligations

or responsibilities as identified in their lease, their landlord may still be

able to file for eviction.

Q. Can KERA assistance cover late fees?

Yes. Landlords can be reimbursed for reasonable current or past due rental

late fees. Other fees covered by KERA may include: rental security deposits,

reasonable late fees, application or screening fees, pet fees, utility fees,

parking fees, garage fees and/or legal fees. Please enter these in the fees

column of the application.

Q. My landlord is refusing to cooperate and apply for the program. As a

tenant, am I able to apply for the KERA assistance and receive funds?

Unfortunately, this program requires participation by both the landlord

and tenant. Our Community Partners may be useful in helping you explain

the program to your landlord. In some cases, tenants may be paid directly

if their landlords refuse to certify on behalf of their tenants.

Q. Can the KERA application be completed using a smartphone?

Yes. Our application is tablet and smartphone friendly.

Q. I reside within the city limits of Wichita KS, can I apply for KERA?

Yes, Wichita residents are now eligible to apply for the KERA program. Once

WERAP funding is exhausted, KERA will be able to accept applications for

residents of the City of Wichita.

Q. How are payments distributed?

Updated 02/24/22

Payment will be made directly to the landlord or property owner on

the tenants’ behalf via ACH.

Q. Do I have to pay any of the KERA assistance back?

No. This is not a loan; it is a grant and will not have to be paid back as

long as the tenant and landlord meet all eligibility requirements. Both

the landlord and the tenant certify the accuracy of the information

each provides. If the information provided is found to be inaccurate and

the application is subsequently determined ineligible, the responsible

party will be required to repay KERA assistance.

Q. Will I be taxed on the amount of KERA assistance I receive?

KERA assistance is not taxable to the tenant. It is taxable income to

the landlord/ owner as rent, who will receive a 1099 from KHRC.

Q. Are utilities eligible? Will I receive the funds or will KERA pay my utilities

to them directly?

Yes, KERA will pay your utility provider directly.

Q. What will I need to provide for utility assistance?

A copy of your most recent past due bill.

Q. I use a hot spot on my phone for my internet, will KERA funds cover the

cost of my phone bill or a portion of it?

Yes, KERA funds will cover the cost of a hot spot from a cell

phone as long as this is considered the household’s only internet

connection. KERA will credit a household’s internet service

account in the amount of $50/month for 12 months, in a lump

sum of $900, which can be applied to past due or future internet

costs.

Q. I am in an apartment with two other roommates. I am the only household

member past due on my rent. My roommates do not want to participate in

the program since they are still employed and are current on their rent and

bills. My portion is behind. Can I apply on my own without them?

Updated 02/24/22

The program is designed to include all individuals listed on the lease

agreement as one household. An application would require a lease

agreement to be submitted and reviewed. All members of the household

listed on the lease will need to apply and be eligible under our policies. If

your roommates refuse to participate, we can provide you with Community

Action Agencies in your area that may be able to assist you with your portion

of the rent.

Q. I have pet fees, parking garage fees, and storage fees. Is KERA able

to cover those?

Yes, KERA may cover all of those types of fees. Other acceptable

fees covered by KERA may include: rental security deposits,

reasonable late fees, application or screening fees, pet fees, utility

fees, and/or legal fees.

Q. Why does the government need to track my ethnicity or

race?

This information is requested by the federal government to ensure our

compliance with equal credit opportunity, fair housing, and home mortgage

disclosure laws. You are not required to furnish this information but are

encouraged to do. For race, you may check more than one designation. If you do

not wish to provide this information, please check the appropriate box.

Q. How is “household” defined?

The tenant household includes everyone who permanently resides in

the home for which KERA rental assistance is requested. The only

exclusions are live-in aides and guests.

The following persons ARE considered household members for the

KERA program: roomers, boarders, foster children, or adults.

Q. . If I have a “rent-to-own” agreement with my landlord, am I eligible for the

program?

If you are in a “rent-to-own” agreement with your landlord, you may be eligible for

the KERA program as long as you or any member of your household:

i. is not a signor or co-signor to the mortgage on the property;

ii. does not hold the deed or title to the property; and

iii. has not exercised the option to purchase.

Updated 02/24/22

Q. If I am homeless can you assist me?

Yes! We can pay three months’ rent prospectively at a time if a

homeless individual enters into a new lease.