What Documents Do I Need to Apply?

Both tenants and landlords will need to provide documentation in order for DSHA to process their DEHAP application. See below for a list of documents DSHA will need from both tenants and landlords. All documentation must be submitted through the application portal.

There are several different options for many of the required items. If you’re not sure what you need or would like help submitting an application, please contact one of our partner organizations who can help you apply!

The tenant will need to provide:

1) Identification for Head of Household and household member with COVID-19 impact, if not head of household.

Any of the following may be used as acceptable ID:

1. - Government-issued driver’s license or identification card
  - U.S. Passport
  - Resident Alien Card
  - Temporary Resident Identification Card
  - Any other documentation also accepted by the DE Division of Motor Vehicles, or
  - A recent (<60 days) piece of official mail (such as bank statement, utility bill, or pay stub) with name and current address

2) Income documentation

There are several options to document income for DEHAP. Details are below but to summarize, applicants must provide one of the following:

Calendar year 2020 IRS tax returns (Form 1040 or 1040A) OR
Documentation of eligibility for other federal or state benefits, such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Housing Choice Voucher) OR
Self-Certification of Income Form OR
Documentation of all sources of current household income for the last 30 days.

This includes:

Income documentation for all household members 18 years of age or older. Such documentation may include any of the following, listed in order of most to least preferable:

If the property is located in a Qualified Census Tract (which will be identified by the portal), a Self-Certification of Income Form is all that is required.
Documentation of calendar year 2020 household income: 2020 IRS tax returns, Form 1040 or 1040A; OR 2020 W-2s (W-2s will not be accepted after July 15, 2021);
Documentation of categorical eligibility through a determination letter dated on or after January 1, 2020 from a local, state, or federal government assistance program. Such programs may include Housing Choice Voucher, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, WIC, Head Start, and SSI;
Documentation of all sources of current household income for the last 30 days, including but not limited to: paystubs, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), alimony and child support, Social Security, and pensions;
-OR a Self-attestation from the tenant is acceptable in lieu of providing income documentation only under circumstances where the renter household has zero income, receives cash only payments, and/or COVID-19 impact.

Calendar year 2020 income documented with 2020 Federal income tax returns is the preferred method of verifying income eligibility.

If 2020 tax returns are not available and household is providing documentation of current income, the household may self-attest to sources of income for which documentation is not available.

If a household has zero income, the household must provide an attestation that they have zero income and information on how it is meeting expenses.

If a household qualifies based on income for the last 30 days, it must recertify income eligibility every three months for the duration of assistance.

3) Documentation of Receipt of Unemployment Benefits OR Self-certification of COVID-19 related financial hardship

1. - If available, confirmation of eligibility for or receipt of Unemployment Benefits (must include tenant’s name/identifying information), such as Statement of Monetary Determination or other statement from the Department of Labor.
  - If Unemployment documentation not available, applicant must complete COVID-19 Hardship Self-Certification Form

4) Copy of signed lease or other documentation of landlord/tenant relationship

Lease may be expired, but must include current rent amount, or a renewal or addendum with current rent also provided.
Tenants requesting assistance for utilities owed to the landlord must also include bills for these utilities.
All adults listed on the lease must be included on the application.
- Income for all persons over the age of 18 who reside in the unit must be included.
- Non-resident co-signers’ income will not be included.
  - If there is no lease, evidence of 2 months of payments and proof of residency using one of the documentation options below is required:
    - Utility Bill
    - Credit Card Statement
    - Voter Registration Cards
    - Bank Account Records
    - Employment Records
    - U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form/postmarked mail with forwarding address label
    - OR – Documentation from the court that your landlord has initiated court proceedings, such as the Complaint or Summons.
When the landlord and tenant live in the same unit, rent receipts or other documentation of past payment is required.

The landlord will need to provide:

1) W-9 form (completed and signed by landlord).

2) Direct deposit information and account information confirmation through Yardi’s Account Validation portal.

3) Information on the property and a rent ledger or past due statement detailing months and amounts due. (See example here)

While scanned documents are preferred, photos that are high-quality, clear and readable are acceptable. Documents should be uploaded on the application portal.