Frequently Asked Questions

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For homeowners
Additional Languages for Mortgage Assistance
For Renters
For Landlords
Additional Languages for rental program

For Homeowners

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How do I find out the status of my application?

o  Applicantscan check on the status of their application by logging into their ILHAFaccount at ilhaf.ihda.org. Your status will be listedon your application dashboard and is updated in real time.

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My situation has changed. Can I edit my application?

You cannot make edits to your application once it has been submitted; however, you are still allowed to upload supporting documentation. Please be sure to upload any new documentation that show your new circumstances so they are available for our reviewers.

If you have received a court summons or tax sale notice, please upload this documentation to your application using the “AddDocuments” button. If you have a pending foreclosure or tax sale, please contact customer relations at HAFQuestions@ihda.org to request an expedited review.

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What should I do while I wait for a decision on my application?

Continue to check your email inbox and/or your application status on ilhaf.ihda.org. If your circumstances change, please upload any relevant documents that show your new circumstances so they will be added to your application review.

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I have received a foreclosure summons, what should I do?

If you have received a court summons or tax sale notice, please upload this documentation to your application using the “Add Documents” button. If you have a pending foreclosure or tax sale, please contact Customer Relations at HAFQuestions@ihda.orgto request an expedited review.

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I no longer need assistance and I would like to withdraw my application. What should I do?

Please send an email to HAFQuestions@ihda.org requesting to cancel your application. You should send the email using the same email address you used in your application.

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May I add my name to a mailing list to be notified of future funding, if available?

Click here to add your name to the mailing list to be notified of future mortgage assistance opportunities.

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Will my property taxes be considered for payment?

The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund eligibility period for property tax bills is:

§ 2019 due in 2020

§ 2020 due in 2021

§ First installment 2021 due in 2022

If applicants were delinquent prior to 2019 ,they will be no taxes will be eligible for payment.

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What if I am behind on my mortgage more than $30,000, can ILHAF help me?

Yes, if you owe more than $30,000 to your mortgage servicer, you may still be eligible for assistance, but you must alert IHDA that you intend to pursue one of the two following options to bring you within our eligibility requirements.

§ You can make a partial payment directly to your mortgage servicer to bring the total due below $30,000; please note, making payments to your servicer will not guarantee you will be eligible for ILHAF assistance.

§ You can establish an arrangement with your mortgage servicer to reduce the amount owed to under $30,000. Please contact your mortgage servicer and/or a HUD-certified counseling agency to discuss what options are available.

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My status is “In Queue to Be Reviewed,” how long will it be before my application is reviewed?

o  We are currently working through all the applications that were submitted for assistance. Applications from home ownerswho are facing an imminent risk of losing their home due to foreclosure or having their property taxes sold are being prioritized. The remaining applications will be reviewed based on the following categories:

§ Households under 100% Area Median Income in 57 targeted zip codes

§ Other Households under 100% Area Median Income

§ Homeowners who self-identify as socially disadvantaged individuals (SDIs), defined as:

·      Racial and ethnic minorities who have been subject to housing discrimination

·      Applicants with limited English proficiency

§ Households 101% to 150% Area Median Income

How long will it take to review my application?

Reviews are currently expected to take up to 120days before a determination is made. If you have received a court summons or tax sale notice, please upload this documentation to your application using the“Add Documents” button. If you have a pending foreclosure or tax sale, please contact Customer Relations at HAFQuestions@ihda.orgto request an expedited review.

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I received an email directing me to talk to a housing counselor about my income. Why do I need to do that?

o  Federal guidelines require that mortgage assistance be used for homeowners who have an affordable and sustainable mortgage payment.  

§ Affordability is measured by comparing the monthly amount paid to the mortgage servicer and dividing it by the total gross monthly household income. If the result is below 42%, the mortgage is considered affordable, if the result is greater than 42%, the mortgage is deemed to be not affordable.

o  If you have received instruction to talk to a housing counselor about your income, it is because your application shows that you do not have an affordable mortgage based on the above requirements. You are being given an opportunity to talk to a counselor regarding your finances as an additional review to see if your mortgage may be affordable to move your application forward.

What if I have not obtained my Housing Counseling Certificate, will this delay the review of my application?

While we will not need the certificate to review your file, a potential approval will be delayed until you obtain and submit it to your file. Please schedule an appointment or obtain the certificate as soon as possible during the process. You may also talk to your mortgage servicer directly to discuss loss mitigation and submit a letter stating the loss mitigation options you have been offered.

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I believe my application was incorrectly denied for ILHAF assistance, how do I proceed?

If you feel the decision regarding your application is incorrect, you have the opportunity to request your application be reconsidered. To file a request for reconsideration, please follow one of the following two options: 


Option 1 - Email‍

  • Email requests should be made to HAFReconsideration@ihda.org with the following information:
  • Application ID in the subject line (i.e. ILHAF Reconsideration Request – Application # 123456) 
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  • Reason for Reconsideration:
  • A full and specific statement as to the reason why the decision is alleged to be an error or incorrect
  • Name, address, phone number and email address of the applicant 

Option 2 - Phone

  • Call our customer service line at (866) IL-HELP1, press option 3 for ILHAF assistance and then option 2 for reconsiderations. A customer service representative will prepare an email to HAFReconsideration@ihda.org on your behalf. 


Note - Making a request for reconsideration does not guarantee a reversal of the initial decision.

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For renters

Who is eligible to receive assistance from the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Illinois tenants residing outside of Cook County may be eligible to receive CBRAP assistance if:- They have a pending eviction due to nonpayment. A court summons document will be required. - The household lives in Illinois (outside of Cook County) and rents their home as their primary residence. - The household’s total gross income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income for location (find county income limits at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org).- The household experienced a financial hardship, including a loss of income or increased expenses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are there immigration status requirements for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

No, CBRAP assistance is available to all eligible renters in Illinois (outside of Cook County) regardless of immigration status. CBRAP assistance is not a “public charge” benefit.

If I am NOT in an eviction proceeding, can I apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance program?

No, your application will be ineligible for review. You must be in a court eviction proceeding and provide eviction court documentation to receive assistance from CBRAP.

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How do I apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

The CBRAP application is a joint application between the tenant and the landlord. Both the tenant and the landlord may initiate and complete their online application by visiting www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org, completing the pre-eligibility questionnaire, creating a CBRAP account, and providing the required information and documents. All CBRAP applications must be submitted online. An application will not be considered complete until both the tenant and the landlord complete their sections of the joint application. For tenants or landlords with barriers to accessing the online application, Housing Stability Service (HSS) organizations are standing by to help. Visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org or contact the CBRAP call center at 866-IL-HELP1 (866-454-3571) to be connected with an available HSS agency.

What information do tenants need to apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Renters will need the following information to apply:

- Valid email addresses for the tenant and landlord

- Court case number

-Monthly rent and amount past due.

What documentation do tenants need to provide when applying for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Renters will need to upload the following documents during the application process:- Eviction court documents (court case summons document)- Government-issued photo ID (regardless of expiration date)- A utility bill or proof of address dated 90 days prior to the application (if the address on your ID is not your current address)- Proof of current household income- Proof of past-due rent- Proof of public assistance (if applicable)- Recertification of income (if applicable)A list of acceptable documents is available here‍

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Do tenants need a lease to apply?

Landlords and tenants must provide a current lease in their application if one is available. However, if a current lease is not available you may still apply for assistance.

Do tenants need a Social Security Number to apply?

No, a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is not required for tenants.

What happens after I complete my section of the application?

After the tenant completes their application, it will be matched with their landlord’s corresponding application if one has been submitted and will be considered eligible for review. If the landlord has not yet completed their application, they will receive an email notification inviting them to create a CBRAP account and apply. Tenants can check to see if their landlord has completed their application by logging into their CBRAP account and viewing their status on the application dashboard.If further information is needed, you will be contacted by IHDA via email with further instructions.If the landlord does not complete their section of the application, they will be considered unresponsive, and the tenant’s application will go through a separate review process. Those tenants may receive CBRAP funds directly and will be contacted by IHDA with further instructions.

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How can I check on the status of my submitted application?

Visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org, enter your application ID and log into your CBRAP account. Your status will be listed on the application dashboard.

When will I be notified if my application is approved or denied?

IHDA expects extremely high demand for CBRAP assistance and will review completed applications as quickly as possible. Our goal is to notify applicants of funding eligibility within 15 to 30 days.

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How will I be notified if my application is approved?

All program communications will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application. Please make sure you maintain access to the email accounts associated with the application throughout the entire review and approval process.

Who do I contact with questions about the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

If you have any questions or if you are unsure about anything regarding your CBRAP application, please visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org for a list of Housing Stability Service agencies standing by to help. For additional information, contact the CBRAP call center at 866-IL-HELP1 (866-454-3571). Call center representatives can answer questions related to the CBRAP program and provide further assistance if needed.

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What should I do if I think someone is submitting false information to IHDA in connection with the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

IHDA takes all allegations of fraud seriously. If you have reason to believe someone is providing fraudulent information in an attempt to obtain emergency rental assistance, please visit ilrpp.ihda.org/Application/ReportFraud and provide as much detail as possible so that IHDA can promptly investigate the matter. Alternatively, persons can file a complaint online with the Office of the Executive Inspector General.

For Landlords

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Who is eligible to receive assistance from the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Illinois tenants residing outside of Cook County may be eligible to receive CBRAP assistance if:-They have a pending eviction due to nonpayment. A court-summons document will be required. -The household lives in Illinois (outside of Cook County) and rents their home as their primary residence. -The household’s total gross income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income for location (find county income limits at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org).-The household experienced a financial hardship, including a loss of income or increased expenses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Are there immigration status requirements for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

No, CBRAP assistance is available to all eligible renters in Illinois (outside of Cook County) regardless of immigration status. CBRAP assistance is not a “public charge” benefit.

I am an out of state housing provider with a rental property in Illinois. Can I complete a joint application with my Illinois resident tenants?

Yes. If your tenant is an Illinois resident living outside of Cook County and rents the unit as their primary residence, they may be eligible for CBRAP assistance.

I own and live in a multi-unit building which is also tenant occupied. If a tenant residing in my building meets the eligibility requirements, can we submit a joint application?

Yes. Tenants may be eligible for CBRAP assistance provided they rent their own unit and are not members of the housing provider’s household.

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How do I apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

The CBRAP application is a joint application between the tenant and the landlord. Both the tenant and the landlord may initiate and complete their online application by visiting www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org, completing the pre-eligibility questionnaire, creating a CBRAP account, and providing the required information and documents. All CBRAP applications must be submitted online. An application will not be considered complete until both the tenant and the landlord complete their sections of the joint application. For tenants or landlords with barriers to accessing the online application, Housing Stability Service (HSS) organizations are standing by to help. Visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org or contact the CBRAP call center at 866-IL-HELP1 (866-454-3571) to connect with an available HSS agency.

What information do housing providers/landlords need to apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Housing providers/landlords will need the following information to apply:- Valid email addresses for the tenant and landlord- Rental unit information (unit type, address, rent amount)- Grant payment information for check distribution- Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (if payment is made to an individual)- Employee Identification Number (if payment is made to a business entity)

What documentation do housing providers/landlords need to provide when applying for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

Housing providers/landlords will need to upload the following documents during the application process:- Evidence of past-due rent- Copy of current installment of property tax bill or current monthly mortgage statement (dated within 90 days) or other proof of ownership. - Current signed lease (if available)- Fully executed and current property management agreement (if payment is made to a property manager)- Eviction court documents (court case summons document)- Proof of identity or LLC, Certificate of Good Standing, or Articles of IncorporationA list of acceptable documents is available here

Does my tenant need a lease to apply?

A current lease must be provided if available. If a current lease is not available, housing providers and tenants are still permitted to apply.

Does my tenant need a Social Security Number to apply?

No. Tenants do not need to provide a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

How much assistance can my tenant receive?

CBRAP assistance will cover up to 18 months of emergency rental payments, including up to 15 months of missed rent payments and up to three months of future rent payments. Rent owed starting March 2020 may be paid for with CBRAP funds. In addition, the combined assistance received from CBRAP may not exceed a total of $25,000.

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Is there a limit to how many applications I can submit?

There is not a limit. Housing providers/landlords will need to apply separately for each household that has a court case number.

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What happens after my tenant completes their section of the application?

After the tenant completes their application, it will be matched with their landlord’s corresponding application if one has been submitted and will be considered eligible for review. If the landlord has not yet completed their application, they will receive an email notification inviting them to create a CBRAP account and apply. Housing providers/landlords can check to see if their tenant has completed their application by logging into their CBRAP account and viewing their status on the application dashboard.If further information is needed, you will be contacted by IHDA via email with further instructions.If the landlord does not complete their section of the application, they will be considered unresponsive, and the tenant’s application will go through a separate review process. Those tenants may receive CBRAP funds directly and will be contacted by IHDA with further instructions.

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What happens after I complete my section of the application?

After the housing provider/landlord and the tenant have both submitted their information, the application will enter IHDA’s queue for review.

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How can I check on the status of my submitted application?

Visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org, enter your application ID and log into your CBRAP account. Your status will be listed on the application dashboard.

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When will I be notified if my application is approved for funding or deemed ineligible for funding?

IHDA expects extremely high demand for CBRAP assistance and will review completed applications as quickly as possible. Our goal is to notify applicants of funding eligibility within 15 to 30 days.

How will I be notified if my application is approved for funding or deemed ineligible for funding?

All program communications will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application. Please make sure you maintain access to the email accounts associated with the application throughout the entire review and approval process.

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Who do I contact with questions about the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

If you have any questions or if you are unsure about anything regarding your CBRAP application, please visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org for a list of Housing Stability Service agencies standing by to help. For additional information, contact the CBRAP call center at 866-IL-HELP1 (866-454-3571). Call center representatives can answer questions related to the CBRAP program and provide further assistance if needed.

What should I do if I think someone is submitting false information to IHDA in connection with the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program?

IHDA takes all allegations of fraud seriously. If you have reason to believe someone is providing fraudulent information in an attempt to obtain emergency rental assistance, please visit ilrpp.ihda.org/Application/ReportFraud and provide as much detail as possible so that IHDA can promptly investigate the matter. Alternatively, persons can file a complaint online with the Office of the Executive Inspector General.

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When will I receive my CBRAP grant payment?

It is expected that landlords will receive a check for payment of rent within 14 business days of their notification by the IHDA that their rental assistance application is approved. IHDA is administering the payment process. If you do not receive your payment within 14 business days of the notification, you can contact IHDA at CBRAP.info@ihda.org and they will respond via email.