The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday to apply for assistance with rent and/or utilities under a federally funded pandemic aid program in Alaska.
As of last Friday, 65 Wrangell residents submitted applications for assistance under the state-operated program for Alaskans who have lost jobs or income due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
An additional 16 completed their online eligibility check but had not yet submitted an application, said Stacy Barnes, director of governmental relations and public affairs at the Alaska Housing Finance Corp.
The housing agency is managing the state's $200 million share of the $25 billion federal aid program, approved by Congress in December. The program is open only to renters, not homeowners.
Under the federal rules, eligible households may receive up to 12 months of aid. The funds may be used to bring renters current and to help cover future rent.
Federal rules for the assistance program require that at least one member of the household must be qualified to receive unemployment "or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19."
There is a household income limit to the program, based on the area's median income. In Wrangell, the annual household income limit is $57,1200.
Household income will be determined as either the income for 2020 or the household's monthly income "at the time of application," such as for applicants who worked in 2020 but then lost their jobs or income in 2021, according to the federal rules.
The eligibility rules and online application are at alaskahousingrelief.org, or call (833)-440-0420.
The online process asks questions to help applicants determine if they qualify. A case worker will later contact applicants to request proof of financial hardship due to the pandemic, a copy of their lease, and a copy of their driver's license or other photo ID.
The utility assistance can go toward electricity, heating oil and propane, firewood, wood stove pellets, water and sewer services and garbage removal-but not telephone, cable TV or internet service.
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