Rental, Utility Assistance Available To Franklin County Residents Affected By COVID-19

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (November 9, 2021) – The Franklin County Commissioners are encouraging those facing eviction or utility shutoffs because of the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for support through Pennsylvania's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, ERAP provides rental and utility assistance to qualified Pennsylvanians experiencing economic insecurity triggered by the pandemic. The program can assist households with past-due or future expenses such as rent, home energy costs, utility bills for water, sewer and trash removal, relocation expenses, and internet services utilized for work, home school and telemedicine.

Both renters and landlords can apply for the program, and tenants do not need a landlord’s permission to receive ERAP assistance.

ERAP is administered locally by South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) and is funded through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which provided approximately $569 million to assist Pennsylvanians across 49 counties. As of Oct. 31, Franklin County had administered $5,744,976 – approximately 56% – of its $10,196,172.84 ERAP allocation.

For more information on ERAP or to apply for assistance, contact SCCAP, located at 533 S. Main St., Chambersburg, at 717-263-5060 or franklinrr@sccap.org. Applications can also be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. Additional information can be found at www.dhs.pa.gov/ERAP/.

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