News Flash

Evening hours have been extended through September for low-income residents who need to visit the ERAP Application Lab to apply for financial assistance to pay overdue rent or utility bills. The lab is in the Forsyth County Department of Social Services building at 741 Highland Ave., Winston-Salem.

Evening hours at the lab are Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Daytime appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins during daytime hours will be accommodated but those with appointments have priority. Links to schedule an appointment are posted at Forsyth.cc/ERAP and CityofWS.org/ERAP.

City and county officials are encouraging eligible residents to apply promptly for assistance following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week to invalidate the Biden Administration’s extension of the eviction moratorium.

An Eviction Diversion Packet with information and resources to help residents facing eviction is posted at CityofWS.org/EDM. The packet is available in English and in Spanish. Printed versions are available by calling 336-734-1227.

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program, or ERAP, assists with rent and utilities, to include electricity, water/sewer, natural gas, propane, garbage (county residents), fuel oil and internet. 

The program is open to all renters in Forsyth County who have financial hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic and have a household income of 80 percent or less of area median income, which varies by household size and is $55,100 for a family of four.

The Forsyth County Department of Social Services is making its transportation aides available to bring residents to the application lab. The transportation staff has limited capacity. Residents should confirm their rides before making an appointment at the application lab. The phone number for requesting transportation is posted under the appointment link at Forsyth.cc/ERAP.

Complete information about ERAP, including eligibility guidelines, a chart of income limits for households of 1 through 8 people, links to apply online and a list of documents needed to complete an application, is posted at CityofWS.org/ERAP.