The Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program pays up to 12 months of missed rent and utilities payments and up to 3 months of future rent payments.
Applications will be accepted until April 2, 2021. Start the application process at cookcountyil.gov/recovery.
How do I know if I’m eligible? To be eligible, renters must:
- Live in suburban Cook County and rent their home (Landlords may apply on behalf of tenants)
- Lack access to other support (e.g., don’t live in public housing or receive rental assistance from other programs)
- Have proof of financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Have a household annual income at or below these requirements:
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Income | $51,000 | $58,250 | $65,550 | $72,800 | $78,650 | $84,450 | $90,300 | $96,100 |
What documents do I need to apply? For the initial application, renters need:
- Photo ID
- Social Security card (if available)
- Verification of income for 2020 (e.g., recent paystubs or tax returns)
- Documentation of COVID-19 financial hardship (e.g., unemployment claims or proof of income decrease)
- Latest utility bill (if applying for utility assistance)
To apply and learn more:
- Visit cookcountyil.gov/recovery
- Get text alerts by texting: AlertCook to 888-777
For assistance with your application and language translation services, please contact the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program helpline at 877-426-6515.