How rental information works in New Hampshire

New Hampshire's rental information comes through two main channels: the state's Emergency Rental information Program (ERAP) and local community action agencies. The state program pays landlords directly for unpaid rent, and sometimes utilities. Community action agencies handle their own smaller programs and can refer you to other resources in your area. Both move slowly — expect four to eight weeks from submission to payment — so contact them as soon as you fall behind, not after an eviction notice arrives.

The state program is run by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). They do not take walk-in applications or phone calls to determine your situation. You submit documents by mail or email, and a staff member reviews them. If documents are missing or unclear, they contact you to ask for more. This back-and-forth adds weeks, so completeness matters on the first try.

Local community action agencies exist in most counties and often know about smaller pots of money the state program does not advertise. They also help people gather documents and understand what they need. Finding your local agency is faster than searching for the state program alone.

Key Takeaways

  • New Hampshire's state rental information program pays landlords directly for back rent and some utilities, and you submit your process by mail or email to the Community Development Finance Authority.
  • You will need a signed lease, proof of income, proof of the hardship that caused you to fall behind, and landlord contact information before you start.
  • Local community action agencies in your county can help you gather documents and may know about additional funds beyond the state program.
  • Processing takes four to eight weeks, so explore as soon as you realize you cannot pay rent, even if you have not received an eviction notice yet.
  • The state program requires you to be a New Hampshire resident and to have a household income below 80 percent of the area median income for your county.

Documents you need before you start

Gather these before you contact the state program or a community action agency. Missing documents delay your case by weeks.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days showing your name and New Hampshire address. A bank statement works if nothing else is available.

Proof of income: Pay stubs from the last 30 days, or if self-employed, tax returns from the last two years. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, or other benefits, bring the award letter or a recent statement. If you have no income, bring a letter from your employer saying you were laid off or furloughed, or a statement from the benefits office saying you were denied.

Proof of the hardship: A letter from your landlord saying how much you owe and when it became due, or an eviction notice if you have one. If you lost work or hours because of COVID-19 or another specific event, bring documentation of that — a layoff notice, a letter from your employer, or a news article about a business closure. The program wants to see that something changed, not that you have always struggled to pay.

Landlord information: Your landlord's full name, mailing address, phone number, and email if you have it. If your landlord uses a property management company, get that company's details instead. The program will contact them directly.

Lease or rental agreement: A signed copy showing the monthly rent amount and the address of the unit you rent. If you do not have a signed lease, a letter from your landlord confirming the rent amount and your tenancy will work, though it slows the process.

How to contact the state program

The New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority handles the state Emergency Rental information Program. You can reach them by mail or email; there is no online portal or phone line for applications.

By mail: Send your documents to the Community Development Finance Authority, 14 Dixon Avenue, Suite 200, Concord, NH 03301. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, email, and the address of the rental unit. Keep copies of everything you send.

By email: Send your documents to erap@nhcdfa.org. Use the same cover letter format. Email is faster than mail — expect acknowledgment within a few business days.

After you submit, you will not hear anything for one to two weeks. Then a staff member will contact you if documents are missing or if they need clarification. Answer quickly; if you do not respond within 10 days, your case may be closed. Once all documents are in, approval usually takes another two to four weeks.

Finding your local community action agency

Community action agencies exist in most New Hampshire counties and often have their own rental information funds or know about programs the state does not run. They can also help you gather documents and understand what you need.

To find yours, call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for the community action agency in your county. You can also visit the New Hampshire Community Action Partnership website, which lists agencies by region. Some agencies require you to visit in person; others accept phone or email inquiries. Call ahead to ask what they need and whether they are currently taking new cases.

Community action agencies move faster than the state program in some cases because they handle fewer applications. They may also waive certain requirements or help you if you do not meet the state income limit. It is worth contacting them even if you think you will not may have access to for the state program.

Income limits and other requirements

The state program requires your household income to be at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for your county. This limit varies by county and by household size. For example, a single person in Hillsborough County might have a limit around $52,000 per year, while a family of four might have a limit around $74,000. These numbers change yearly, so ask the CDFA or your community action agency for the current limit for your household size and county.

You must also be a New Hampshire resident and have a signed lease or rental agreement. If you are behind on rent because of a specific hardship — job loss, illness, reduced hours, or a similar event — you are more likely to be approved than if you have always struggled to pay. The program prioritizes people facing eviction, so having an eviction notice or court date actually helps your case.

There is no citizenship requirement, but you must have a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not have either, ask your community action agency whether they can help you obtain one or whether they know of alternative programs.

What happens after you are approved

Once the CDFA approves your case, they contact your landlord directly and arrange payment. The landlord receives a check or electronic transfer, usually within one to two weeks of approval. You do not handle the money yourself.

The program pays back rent first, then current rent if funds remain, then utilities in some cases. If you owe more than the program can cover, they pay what they can. You are responsible for any remaining balance, though some landlords will negotiate a payment plan once they receive the information payment.

After payment is made, keep your lease and stay current on future rent. If you fall behind again, you can reapply, but the program prioritizes first-time applicants. Some people are approved for multiple months of information in a single case, so ask the CDFA whether your approval covers more than one month.

What to do if you are denied or if the program is closed

If the CDFA denies your case, they will tell you why in writing. Common reasons are income above the limit, no signed lease, or insufficient proof of hardship. If the reason is fixable — for example, you forgot to include a document — you can reapply with the missing piece. If the reason is income, ask your community action agency whether they have a separate program with a higher limit.

The state program sometimes runs out of money and stops taking new cases. When this happens, the CDFA website will say so. You can still contact your community action agency, which may have its own funds. You can also ask 211 about emergency information from nonprofits, churches, or mutual aid groups in your area. These sources move faster than government programs and sometimes have fewer requirements.

If you have an eviction notice, tell your landlord when ready that you have applied for information. Some landlords will pause the eviction process while you wait for approval. If your landlord will not pause, contact a legal aid organization — New Hampshire Legal information and Community Lawyers provide free representation to low-income tenants and can sometimes stop an eviction while information is pending.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I already have an eviction notice?

Yes. In fact, having an active eviction case often moves you higher in the queue. Bring the notice itself when you explore. The CDFA uses the court date to prioritize cases, and in some situations they can contact the court to ask for a pause while your case is reviewed.

What if my landlord refuses to accept the payment?

This is rare, but if it happens, tell the CDFA when ready. Some programs will pay you directly instead and ask you to pay the landlord, though this is slower and less common. Ask the CDFA what proof they need before you approach your landlord, so you do not tip them off and risk retaliation.

How long does the whole process take?

From submission to payment, expect four to eight weeks. The first two weeks are waiting for initial review. If documents are missing, add another one to two weeks while you gather them. Once everything is complete, approval takes two to four more weeks. Community action agencies sometimes move faster.

Do I have to pay the money back?

No. Rental information is a grant, not a loan. You do not repay it. However, you are responsible for any rent balance that the program does not cover.

What if my income is above the limit?

Ask your community action agency whether they have a separate program with a higher income limit. Some do. If not, ask 211 about emergency information from nonprofits or mutual aid groups, which sometimes have no income limit.