Rental Counseling & Assistance

Are you struggling to pay your rent, utilities or property taxes? Don't take out a pay-day loan—you may qualify for federal benefits and up to 12 months of rental assistance if you're a resident of Cuyahoga County and are at risk of:

• Eviction
• Utility Shut-Off
• Property Tax Delinquency

Priority is given based on criteria such as eviction status, accurate information and complete documentation.

For Clients:

Do I qualify?

To qualify, you must be 55 or older and earn no more than 80 percent of the Area Median Income for your household size in Cuyahoga County. Our intake department can help you determine if your household income falls within this threshold.

What types of assistance are available? 

We offer support with rental arrears, utilities, and security deposits, including those requiring payment for the first full month of rent.

How can I schedule an appointment to learn more? 

For more information, please reach out to our intake line at 216-791-8000.

How much can I qualify for?

Eligible clients can receive assistance for up to 12 months.

What documents do I need to provide? 

To apply, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Proof of income
• Photo ID
• Signed acknowledgment form (provided by us)
• Lease agreement
• Delinquent utility bills, if applicable

How long will it take to receive assistance payments? 

Assistance payments, processed within a minimal timeframe of two weeks, are directly disbursed to landlords and utility companies.
 

For Landlords:

What documents do I need to provide?

You will need to submit the following documents:

• Landlord W-9
• Rental ledger, outlining which months payments were delinquent
• Completed Landlord Acknowledgement Form (provided by us)
• Lease agreement (if tenant has not provided)

What if I don’t have a W9?

All landlords must provide a W-9 to receive assistance. You can download and complete a W-9 form at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf 

How long will it take to receive assistance payments? 

Assistance payments, processed within a minimal timeframe of two weeks, are directly disbursed to landlords and utility companies.

How can I help my tenants receive assistance?

Each tenant will need to call our intake line at 216-791-8000 to schedule an intake appointment.
 

We can also help reduce and prevent evictions by: 

• Helping clients identify an affordable rental unit 
• Providing information to renters on tenant rights and fair housing issues 
• Counseling on household budgeting and safe and affordable rental practices 
• Connecting clients with community resources 

Learn how we can help renters by calling us at (216) 791-8000 or email us at intake@benrose.org.