UPDATED 2.5.

21 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) 
 
1) What is the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program?​ 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 H
​ ark​ division to administer the program for Benton County.  

2) Who is eligible to apply for ERA?​ ​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 2020 ​:  
 

 
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. 
 
3) What are the other requirements for ERA?​ An applicant must be able to 
demonstrate that, ​due to the COVID-19 pandemic​, someone in the 
household is e
​ ligible 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.  

4) What types of assistance are available?​ Rental assistance is available in 

the forms of rental arrears, rent payments, utility arrears, and utility 
payments connected to the rental unit. 

5) How do I submit an application for ERA?​ You may submit a contact form 
by either at w
​ ww.harknwa.com/getconnected​ or by calling 2-1-1. A Hark 
Community Liaison will then contact you directly to begin the application 
process. 

6) Will I need to provide supporting documents with my application? 

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, and more.  

7) What other information will you be collecting from me?​ 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.  

8) How will I be notified if I have been approved?​ After completing the 

application process, applicants will be notified by Hark if they meet all 
eligibility requirements and are approved or not approved to receive 
assistance. A website where you can check the status of your application is in 
the works and will be posted on w ​ ww.harknwa.com/getconnected​ when it is 
made available. 

9) If I live with a roommate or other families, can we both apply?​ Only one 
application per residence will be permitted. 

10) Do I need to have my landlord’s contact information when I apply?​ Yes, 

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

11) Will the rental assistance payment be paid directly to me?​ The funds will 
be paid directly to landlords, property management companies, and utility 
companies.  
 12) What if I’m a landlord and have multiple tenants? ​ Please contact Hark 
directly at ​info@harknwa.com​. Landlords can refer tenants to the process and 
are also allowed to assist them in completing their applications. 

13) I do not owe rent, but I will not be able to pay this coming month. Will I 
still be able to apply?​ Absolutely. You can still apply if you have been 
financially impacted by COVID‐19 and cannot pay your upcoming rent.  

14) If I am chosen to receive this rent assistance, am I obligated to pay it 

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

15) If I am a tenant with commercial rent, will I qualify?​ The program only 
assists eligible applicants with housing rental assistance, not commercial rent.  

16) When can I expect my application to be processed and payment to be 

disbursed if approved?​ 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. Applicants will receive 
correspondence through the entire process from their CL. A website where 
you can check the status of your application is in the works and will be posted 
on ​www.harknwa.com/getconnected​ when it is made available. 
 
17) If I have a mortgage payment, do I qualify?​ No, this federal program is only 
for rental units. 
 
18) What if I live in another county?​ 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. 
 
19) How long will this ERA program last?​ The program lasts through December 
31, 2021, or until funds run out. 
 
20)Is there a way for me to fill out a paper application?​ If you prefer to fill out a 
paper application, notify your Hark Community Liaison, and they will mail one 
directly to you.