Will my submitted application still be processed after June 30th 2022?
The CERA Program will continue processing rental assistance applications for those who applied before the deadline until all of the financial assistance funds are spent. However, you must have fully submitted your application before June 30th to be considered for financial help with your rent. 

How do I check the status of my CERA application?
Visit https://ceraapp.michigan.gov and click the “Check App Status” button! 

What does the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program help with?
The CERA program helps with past due rent and utility bills. Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive up to 12 months of past due rental assistance and then three months of future rent.

Is there a maximum amount of assistance I can receive?
For rental assistance, there is no maximum dollar amount. There is only a limit on the number of months you can receive assistance (12 months for back rent, plus three months future rent). For utility assistance, the maximum amount is $2,500 for all utilities. All assistance amounts are based on your income level, the amount you owe, and household size (for utilities).

What information is needed from my landlord?
Your landlord will need to provide a CERA landlord application, a copy of the lease, payment history in 2020 and 2021, and a W-9.

What kind of documents do I need to submit for proof of a COVID hardship?
The chart below outlines acceptable forms of documentation:

If I applied for the last program (Eviction Diversion Program), can I apply for the new program (CERA)?
Yes – you may apply if you are still behind on rent or utilities.

What happens after I submit my application?
Your application will be reviewed for completeness and assigned to a housing specialist. The specialist will reach out to you and your landlord to review any additional information needed.

How long will it take for me to get assistance?
We appreciate your patience, as we anticipate receiving a high volume of applications. Those with eviction court cases will be prioritized. We have hired a significant number of staff, who will be working urgently to make sure you are contacted in a timely manner. Applications with incorrect or incomplete documents submitted will result in significant delays.

I’ve applied for COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) relief funding, but I just received a DTE Energy notice that my power will be disconnected/has just been disconnected. What should I do?
If you’ve applied for CERA funds but haven’t received any money toward your energy bill yet, please call DTE at 1 (800) 477-4747 to update the status of your account. DTE will be able to place a 30-day hold on your account so you do not lose power, or they will restore power if it was disconnected. If your power was disconnected you may have to pay a 20% down payment of the past due amount so services can be restored. Please provide your CERA application tracking number to the DTE representative you are speaking with so they can have it as part of your customer record. Additionally, DTE can help you apply for other government assistance funding or see if a DTE assistance program is right for you.