Morris County Residents Can Still Apply For Rental, Utility Help

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Help is still available by Dec. 15 for Morris County families who may be struggling to pay rent or utilities.

The County of Morris recently provided state and local resources that can help residents who need assistance paying renting or if they've fallen behind on their utility bills.

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How To Get Help With Rental Assistance, Eviction Protection

Applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Eviction Protection Program through New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs, need to be submitted by Dec. 15.

Over $421 million in federal monies for emergency rent help have been given to more than 47,000 households in New Jersey so far, with these programs for low and moderate-income households.

Landlords are additionally able to apply for their tenants.

Potential applicants who don’t have internet access may call 609-490-4550 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with Spanish speaking representatives and translation help with languages other than English and Spanish, available.

Help, however, isn’t guaranteed, because of the number of applications, the county stated in its news release about the program, with applications that come in before Dec. 15 “included in a lottery to fairly distribute the remaining federal funds.”

More information about the Emergency Rental and Eviction Protection programs is available at NJ-DCA portal.

How To Get Utility Payment Help For Gas, Electric Bills

The Department of Community Affairs, the county said, mailed information to about 350,000 households in October, about assistance programs to help them if they’ve fallen behind on their electric and gas payments.

Those who have, can go to the DCAid Service Portal, enter their account numbers and see if they qualify for the available programs, with more information about them on the DCA website.

The Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs Inc is working with the DCA, helping people who are having issues with the application process. More contact information for their offices, phone numbers and email addresses are below:

Dover Office:
95 Basset Highway, Suite 97, Dover, NJ 07081
Email: rsoto@mcoha.org
Phone: (973) 366-4770, Extension 26
Fax: (973) 361-7878
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Morristown Office:
45 Clyde Potts Ct., Morristown, NJ 07960
Email: srivers@mcoha.org
(973) 366-4770 Extension 22
Fax: (973) 644-4878
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Drop-Off Mail Box is available during and after working hours.

Mailing Address:
95 - 97 Basset Highway
Dover, NJ 07081

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.