Western & Southern Monmouth Check-Mate Freehold has been awarded funds to provide assistance for utilities, rent/mortgage and emergency placement.

GUIDELINES

Rent Arrears Required Documents

• Official Court Eviction Notice for rent arrears, it must clearly show the month that you are requesting assistance.
• Client must provide evidence that he or she can pay the rent after being granted assistance with one month.
• Clients must provide proof of payments over one-month arrears
• Rental Assistance: One (1) month not to exceed more than $1,400.00
• Proof of Income: Show ability that the families or individual can continue the monthly rent.
• Social Security card for the household.

Mortgage Arrears Required Documents

• Client must have a letter of default or foreclosure.
• Mortgage Assistance of Principle and Interest only (Property Tax and Home Insurance should not be included).
• Clients must provide proof of payments for all months over the one-month arrears.
• Client must provide evidence he or she can pay the mortgage after being granted assistance with one month.
• Proof of Income/Social Security Cards for household
• Mortgage Arrears: One (1) month not to exceed more than $2,500.00

First Month Rent Required Documents

• Proof of Security Deposit/or arrangements made with landlord in writing to pay the security.
• Copies of signed lease (signed by tenant and landlord) or letter from landlord stating amount of rent, effective date of lease, location, landlord’s name, address, and telephone number.
• Copy of Certificate of Occupancy: Must have the Landlord Name & Renter’s Name or Copy of Landlord register
• The client must demonstrate ability to afford apartment cost by showing proof of income and Social Security cards of Household
• First Month’s Rent: Assistance not to exceed $1,400.00

Emergency Placement Required Documents

Special consideration will be given to families.

• Check-Mate will start with two-week placements at a time unless the families have special problems. Placements can be up to 25 days, not to exceed $1,400.00.
• Social Security cards of household.
• Proof of children in household.
• Identification cards.
• Proof of Income.
• Emergency Placement: Will be made in motels depending on the situations; can be up to 25 days not exceed $1,400.

Individual Emergency Placement

Local welfare and shelters are the first referral for these clients, if client is denied, then Check-Mate will do as follows:

• Check-Mate wants to make limited placements for these clients, however special consideration will be given for special circumstances.
• Shelter denial form must be in file.
• Social Security Card.
• Identification Card.
• Proof of Income.
• NO INCOME: Promise of Employment letter or depending on the situation .

Utility Payments Required Documents

All other resources must have been exhausted, i.e. New Jersey’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or NJSHARES. The current thirty (30) day bill must be $100.00 or more.

• Utility Payments : Client receipt have made a partial payment..
• Utility payments will be made for one (1) month in emergency cases or when the family faces extreme danger.
• Utility printout must start with January 2009, accompany voucher and file.
• The utility meter form is mandatory.
• Copy of past due or current utility bill with a breakdown which clearly identifies one month's charges including due date and the service period.
• Social Security cards of household.
• Proof of children in household..
• Identification cards.
• Proof of Income.
• Utility Assistance: A thirty (30) days current bill (based on actual readings) not to exceed $450.00, or past due bill or discount notice:
• Verify and pay one month’s portion of the past due balance or pay up to $100 of the past due balance, if at least that amount is owed, without one month verification.

Oil Payment Assistance

Oil assistance depending on the price per gallon is available.

• A letter of authorization must be submitted to the oil vendor authorizing the amount of oil to be purchased..
• 150 gallons of oil may not exceed $450.

Gas payment assistance

The HEAP will provide emergency assistance for clients that heat their homes with natural gas or electric beginning March 15, 2010 and ending April 30, 2010.

You may contact Ernie Rivera-Ramos, Community Development Manager if you have further questions. Phone (732) 774-3100, Fax (732) 774-3220, E-mail ernier@check-mateinc.org.