The City of Bowie COVID-19 Emergency Rent Assistance Program provides short-term rental assistance to eligible households who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and caused them to fall behind on their rent. While funds are available, the program will provide one month’s rent to eligible households to cover the cost for back rent (arrears).
We encourage all City of Bowie residents who think they may be eligible to apply.
There are TWO ways to submit the application and supporting documents
Tenant Eligibility
Must be a resident of City of Bowie, Maryland
Must be experiencing a rental hardship (rent arrears)
Must be able to document that the hardship is a direct result of COVID-19
Must be current on rent as of March 31, 2020
Income must be at or below 80% of the Area Medium Income
| Family Size | 80% Area Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $55,750 |
| 2 | $63,700 |
| 3 | $71,650 |
| 4 | $79,600 |
| 5 | $86,000 |
| 6 | $92,350 |
| 7 | $98,750 |
| 8 | $105,100 |
Required Documents
Application: Complete Application Online or In-Person. Go to Online Submission or In-Person Drop-Off buttons to at top of page
Photo Identification: Copy of a Driver’s License, Photo ID, or passport for each adult member.
Social Security cards: Copy of SS card for each household member.
Lease: First and signature pages.
Rent Ledger: Obtain up-to-date rent ledger from landlord.
Landlord’s IRS Tax Form W-9: Obtain completed Form W-9 from your landlord or property manager.
Proof of loss of income due to Covid-19: Notice or email from employer documenting job loss, furlough, closure, reduction in hours, or other documentation that supports your loss of income due to Covid-19.
Proof of income for past 30 days: Bank statements (ALL PAGES), paystubs, unemployment insurance, and/or SS award letters for each adult member of the household.
Payments
While funds are available, the program will provide one month’s rent to eligible households to cover the cost for back rent (arrears). If you are eligible, the rent assistance check will be mailed directly to the property owner as a credit against your rent bill.
FAQs
Full eligibility will be decided by City of Bowie ERA processing team. Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a resident of City of Bowie, Maryland;
- Must be experiencing a rental hardship (rent arrears);
- Must be able to document that the hardship is a direct result of COVID-19;
- Must be current on rent as of March 31, 2020, and
- Income must be at or below 80% of the Area Medium Income:
You may self-certify that you have a gross household income that does not exceed the program limits based on household size. Click the following link to download an income self-certification form: Income Self-Certification Form
We strongly encourage you to complete your application as soon as possible, as the funds are limited and will be dispersed on a first-come first-served basis, but there is not set deadline to submit your request at this time.
The program will look at any income from the previous 30 days. This includes, but is not limited to: wages, social security, cash assistance, unemployment (pending or currently receiving).
Unfortunately, this program is only available to households behind on their rent. If you find yourself in that position, please monitor this website for any additional future rent assistance programs.
If you are eligible, the rent assistance check will be mailed directly to the property owner as a credit against your rent bill.
You cannot be evicted from your property without receiving an opportunity for a hearing in court, and an order from the judge. We encourage you to participate in the court proceedings as you may be eligible for a COVID related delay in eviction. Only a sheriff, with a court order can evict you. Please review the information about tenant protections here.
No, this is not a loan. You will not have to pay the City back.
No, the rent assistance goes directly to the property owner as a credit against your bill.
No, we will not accept any emailed documents.
Please refer to the online document submission instructions to submit your required supporting documents.
Online Submission Instructions
Step One: Complete Application by clicking below.
Step Two: Within three (3) business days of your application submission, you will receive an email with a LINK to a secure online folder that you must use to upload the required supporting documentation. It is very important that you monitor your email closely.
Step Three: Use the link provided in the email to upload ALL required supporting documentation. Required Documentation includes:
- Photo Identification: Copy of a Driver’s License, Photo ID, or passport for each adult member.
- Social Security cards: Copy of SS card for each household member.
- Lease: First and signature pages.
- Rent Ledger: Obtain up-to-date rent ledger from landlord.
- Landlord’s IRS Tax Form W-9: Obtain W-9 from landlord.
- Proof of loss of income due to Covid-19: Notice or email from employer documenting job loss, furlough, closure, reduction in hours, or other documentation that supports your loss of income due to Covid-19.
- Proof of income for past 30 days: Bank statements (ALL PAGES), paystubs, unemployment insurance, and/or SS award letters for each adult member of the household.
Step Four: Within 3 (three) business days from the date you upload your supporting documents to the secure folder, the ERA processor will confirm receipt of your application and documents via email. If any required documents are missing, you will be notified at that time. Applications are assessed on a first come first served basis, and an application will not be considered complete and ready for review until all required documents have been uploaded.
Step Five: Once your application and all required supporting documents have been received, you will receive a confirmation that your application is complete. It will take up to 15 business days for a determination to be made.
In Person Drop-off Instructions
Step One: Obtain a hard copy application and instructions
- Pick up at the following location: City of Bowie, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie, MD 20716
- Download by clicking here: Hard copy Application and Instructions
Step Two: Complete hard copy application, and make copies of all the required supporting documentation.
Step Three: Place completed application and supporting documentation in a SEALED envelope. On the outside of the sealed envelope, write: ERA Application, your name, your address, date. A hard copy application will not be considered complete unless it includes:
- Completed Application: See Step One above.
- Photo Identification: Copy of a Driver’s License, Photo ID, or passport for each adult member.
- Social Security cards: Copy of SS card for each household member.
- Lease: First and signature pages.
- Rent Ledger: Obtain up-to-date rent ledger from landlord.
- Landlord’s IRS Tax Form W-9: Obtain W-9 from landlord.
- Proof of loss of income due to Covid-19: Notice or email from employer documenting job loss, furlough, closure, reduction in hours, or other documentation that supports your loss of income due to Covid-19.
- Proof of income for past 30 days: Bank statements (ALL PAGES), paystubs, unemployment insurance, and/or SS award letters for each adult member of the household.
Step Four: Within 3 (three) business days from the date you drop off your documents to the City of Bowie, the ERA processor will confirm receipt of your application and required supporting documents via email. If any required documents are missing, you will be notified at that time. Applications are assessed on a first come first served basis, and an application will not be considered complete and ready for review until all documents have been uploaded.
Step Five: Once your application and all required supporting documents have been received, you will receive a confirmation that your application is complete. It will take up to 15 business days for a determination to be made.