Benton County is partnering with Excellerate Foundation in managing the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help eligible households in qualifying areas who have been financially impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Excellerate is utilizing its Hark division to administer the program for Benton County.

An applicant must have a household income at 80% or lower of the Area Median Income (AMI)--roughly $60,000 a year or less for a household of four--as calculated for the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR HUD Metro FMR Area for 2021:

Priority will be given to approved applicants who have been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to applying or applicants that have a household income at 50% or lower of the AMI.  

The applicant or someone in their household must have recently, within the last 60 days, contracted COVID-19. This applies for all ERA applicants, even if you have been approved for ERA assistance in the past. An applicant must also be able to demonstrate that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, someone in the household is eligible for unemployment benefits, has experienced a reduction in household income, has incurred significant costs, or has experienced significant financial hardship. The applicant must also demonstrate that the household is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Rental assistance is available in the forms of rental arrears (for first time applicants), rent payments currently due, utility arrears (for first time applicants), and utility payments currently due connected to the rental unit.

You may submit a contact form by either at www.harknwa.com/getconnected or by calling 2-1-1. A Hark Community Liaison will then contact you directly to begin the application process.

Supporting documents will be requested at the time of application and will vary depending on the answers provided. Documents may include proof of unemployment benefit eligibility, pay stubs, tax documentation, past due rental or utility notices, eviction letters, proof of a positive COVID test and more. This can be an at home test or test conducted by a medical provider.

Hark and 2-1-1 are community agencies that seek to connect you to multiple resources, not just rental and utility assistance. Your Hark Community Liaison or 2-1-1 call center representative may ask for your basic information, place of residence, current or former employer, household income, and any other areas of need you may be experiencing. Hark and 2-1-1 are here to help, so this process is entirely confidential.

After completing the application process, applicants will be notified by their Hark Client Service Representative if they meet all eligibility requirements and are approved or not approved to receive assistance. You can check the status of your application by visiting https://harknwa.com/ns/erap-status/. 

Only one application per residence will be permitted.

Yes, you should have your landlord’s name and phone number or email address at the application stage.

The funds may be paid directly to tenants only if the landlord will not provide a W-9 for payment.  We still must receive independent documentation of rent owed, proof of residence, etc.

Please contact Hark directly at [email protected]. Landlords can refer tenants to the process and are also allowed to assist them in completing their applications.

Absolutely. You can still apply if you have been financially impacted by COVID‐19 and cannot pay your upcoming rent.

You are not required to pay back any of this assistance.

The program only assists eligible applicants with housing rental assistance, not commercial rent.

Hark Community Liaisons will be responding on a first-come-first-serve basis with prioritization given to those who have been unemployed for at least 90 days prior to applying or applicants that have a household income at 50% or lower of the AMI. Hark CL’s will contact you as quickly as possible to begin the application process. Once your application is submitted, a Client Service Representative (CSR)will reach out to you about your application within 1-3 business days. You can check the status of your application by visiting https://harknwa.com/ns/erap-status/.

No, this federal program is only for rental units.

Residents of Madison or Washington County should contact Hark to get a comprehensive resource plan and get routed to the correct distribution site in regard to rental assistance.

The program lasts through September 30, 2022, or until funds run out.

If you prefer to fill out a paper application, notify your Hark Community Liaison, and they will mail one directly to you.

If an applicant was impacted by COVID-19 before 1/1/22 and has not already received emergency rental assistance from this program and is eligible, then an applicant may receive rental and/or utility assistance for arrears prior to 1/1/22 not to exceed 12 months. If an applicant was impacted by COVID-19 after 1/1/22, they will be able to receive up to one month of rental and/or utility assistance.

If an applicant has already received assistance and can prove eligibility, then they can apply for assistance.  However, assistance will be limited to one month of rent and/or utility assistance.

No, the applicant’s landlord does not have to agree to participate in the program. However, lease documentation, proof of residence, proof of rent due will still be required before application can be approved.