The Perfect Enemy | Duval County residents can now apply for rental and utility assistance
July 9, 2025
Duval County residents can now apply for rental and utility assistance
Duval County residents can now apply for rental and utility assistance

DUVAL COUNTY; Fla. – Duval County residents can start applying for rent or utility bill assistance starting Wednesday. This is a part of a program through the city of Jacksonville to help residents who lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has more than $3 million left to aid people in need.

A household that is eligible for this help may receive money for up to a combined 12 months of past-due rent and/or utility bills. The federal assistance program has distributed more than $62 million since March 2021.

Related: Duval County to open up applications for $3M in federal rental assistance funding this week

As of Wednesday morning, 2,000 people had already applied.

Who qualifies is somewhat complicated. Here is a breakdown of who can get money.

How do I qualify?

Federal guidelines require qualifying individuals and families to have an income that falls below 80% of the (AMI). Priority must be provided to households that have incomes at or below 50% area median income or have one or more members who have been unemployed for at least 90 days. The income requirements are as follows:

How you qualify for rental assistance (WJXT)

In addition to the income prerequisite, applicants must be a resident of Duval County (this includes the Beaches and the Town of Baldwin) and meet all three of these qualifications:

  • At least one person in the home must be on unemployment or saw a loss of income during the pandemic
  • You can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including past-due rent or unsafe living conditions
  • A household income less than 80% of the area median income, which is $46,850 for a single person.

The city says anyone not eligible should contact United Way for information on other local rental assistance programs.

Applications will be accepted starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 5. You can access the application at coj.net/erap or text APPLY to 211904 to access the application.

That application will stay open until Monday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.

Duval County residents can start applying for rent or utility bill assistance starting Wednesday. This is a part of a program through the city of Jacksonville to help residents who lost income because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has more than $3 million left to aid people in need.