Frequently Asked Questions

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For Landlords
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For Tenants
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Legal Aid for Renters
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Understanding Eviction Court Process
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For Landlords

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What date begins the sixty (60) day period in the Landlord Grant Agreement section 6.b?

When a CBRAP application is approved, both the landlord and tenant are sent an email with the grant approval date.

For questions about how this timeline may apply to a specific situation, it is recommended to seek independent legal advice to ensure a full understanding of your rights and obligations under the CBRAP Grant Agreement.

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

Any Illinois tenant 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 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.

• Tenant household must not have been approved for CBRAP assistance, including tenant direct assistance, in the previous 24 months.

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Will assistance pay delinquent Homeowner Association (HOA) dues?

No. CBRAP assistance brings the tenant current on their rent and can include up to two months' future rent and/or up to $700 for court costs.

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

No, CBRAP assistance is available to all eligible renters in Illinois regardless of immigration status.

I am an out of state landlord 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 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 landlord's household.

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

At this time, the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) is no longer accepting new applications.

If you are at risk of eviction, please contact a legal aid organization or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency right away.

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

Landlords will need the following information to apply:

• Valid email addresses for the tenant and landlord (please be aware that once your application has been submitted, email changes are not permitted. You will be required to start a new application and your current application will be denied.)

• 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)

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

Landlords will need to upload the following documents during the application process:

• Evidence of past-due rent (ledger is required)

• Copy of property tax bill or 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)

• Government-issued photo ID, Certificate of Good Standing, or Articles of Incorporation

A list of acceptable documents is available at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org/resources.

Does my tenant 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. IHDA may request a lease during the review process.

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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 $10,000 of emergency rental payments, including up to two months' of future rent payments.

CBRAP assistance is a one-time benefit per household. A tenant must wait 24 months from approval before applying again.

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

There is not a limit. Landlords will need to apply separately for each household that has a pending eviction case.

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

A tenant should apply first. If eligible, their landlord will be sent an email inviting them to complete their section of the application.

If a landlord does not apply within 14 days of receiving the email, their tenant may still be eligible to receive assistance directly.

What happens after I complete my section of the application?

The tenant's section of the application will always be reviewed first. If eligible, their landlord will be sent an email inviting them to complete their section of the application.

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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 45 days from the start of your application review.

How and when 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 main access to the email accounts associated with the application throughout the entire review and approval process.

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 30 to 45 days from the start of your application review.

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 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 https://ilrpp.ihda.org/ReportFraud/Index 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 ACH payments within 1-3 business days of the approval email. If a check option is selected, landlords will receive payment within 10-14 days of the approval email. However, it may take longer in some instances. If payment is not received within 21 days of the approval email, contact SRUpayments.info@ihda.org and we will respond via email.

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How can I request a copy of my application?

Renters and landlords who previously applied should login, select their application and click "Print".  A copy of the application will download.

If the print option is not available, you must submit the request in writing at https://www.ihda.org/foia/.

For Tenants

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

Any tenant residing in Illinois 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 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.

• Tenant household must not have been approved for CBRAP assistance, including tenant  direct assistance, in the previous 24 months.

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Will assistance pay delinquent Homeowner Association (HOA) dues?

No. CBRAP assistance brings the tenant current on their rent and can include up to two months' future rent and/or up to $700 for court costs.

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

No, CBRAP assistance is available to all eligible renters in Illinois regardless of immigration status.

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?

At this time, the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) is no longer accepting new applications.

If you are at risk of eviction, please contact a legal aid organization or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency right away.

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

• Eviction 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

• A utility bill or proof of address dated 60 days prior to the application

• 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 at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org/resources.

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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. IHDA may request a lease during the review process.

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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?

A tenant should apply first. If eligible, their landlord will be sent an email inviting them to complete their section of the application.

If a landlord does not apply within 14 days of receiving the email, their tenant may still be eligible to receive assistance directly.

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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 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 45 days from the start of your application review.

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.

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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 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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I have been approved for Tenant Direct assistance, when will I receive my CBRAP grant payment?

It is expected that tenants will receive ACH payments within 1-3 business days of the approval email. If a check option is selected, tenants will receive payment within 10-14 days of the approval email. However, it may take longer in some instances. If payment is not received within 21 days of the approval email, contact SRUpayments.info@ihda.org and we will respond via email.

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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 https://ilrpp.ihda.org/ReportFraud/Index 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.

How can I request a copy of my application?

Renters and landlords who previously applied should login, select their application and click "Print".  A copy of the application will download.

If the print option is not available, you must submit the request in writing at https://www.ihda.org/foia/.

How can I resolve issues with logging into my portal?

Here's how you can clear your cookies and cache:

1. Go to your browser’s settings.

2. Find the privacy or history section.

3. Select "Clear browsing data."

4. Check "Cookies" and "Cached images and files."

5. Choose the time range.

6. Confirm and clear the data.

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How do I report my landlord for violating program rules?

Send an email to SRUPayments.info@ihda.org if your application has been approved but your landlord is not adhering to the program's guidelines. Please provide your application ID and the violation in the subject line. In the body of the email, include as much information as possible.

Understanding Eviction Process

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How can court partners help if there is no official eviction resolution program in the courthouse?

Court partners can take the following actions:

• Refer litigants to the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program as well as legal aid and mediation services:

-Suburban Cook County: www.cookcountylegalaid.org

-Outside of Suburban Cook County: evictionhelpillinois.org

• Help litigants apply for the Court-Based Rental Assistance program and check the status of their applications.

• Ask for a case to be continued to allow parties to seek legal assistance and rent assistance and provide referral information for legal aid and rental assistance programs.

• Direct litigants to the statewide approved orders in eviction cases to help facilitate resolutions (e.g., Agreed Order Dismissing Eviction Case with Permission to Reinstate, Agreed order in Eviction Case (Pay & Stay), Agreed Order in Eviction Case (Defendants Agree to Move).

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How does a CBRAP application impact the eviction process?

Landlords and tenants should inform the judge that a CBRAP application is pending, and the judge may continue the case to allow time for the application to be processed. To check the status of applications submitted with the Illinois Housing Development Authority, visit www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org.

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How does the eviction process work in Illinois?

The eviction process involves the following steps:

1. Notice to Terminate Tenancy (eviction notice): A landlord must give a tenant written notice before starting an eviction case in court. This is often a five-day notice, and if the tenant pays within the five days, the landlord must take the money.

2. Filing an Eviction Case: If the tenant does not pay the rent within the notice period, the landlord can file an eviction case in court. The landlord will file an Eviction Complaint, which starts the case, as well as an Eviction Summons, which informs the tenant the case has been sent to eviction court. While the Complaint creates the court case, it does not mean the eviction has been approved.

3. Eviction Order Entered: A hearing will be held and once the judge has enough information, they will make a decision and enter an order. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, an Eviction Order will be issued, meaning the tenant has lost the right to stay in the unit and the eviction process will proceed. The order may also require the tenant to pay any past-due rent, which may include rent accumulated during the eviction process.

4. Eviction by the Sheriff: After the judge issues an Eviction Order, the County Sheriff has the authority to remove a tenant from their home and prevent them from entering. After the Sheriff evicts a tenant, the landlord can remove any remaining belongings from the home. Eviction procedure changes from county to county, contact your Sheriff’s office to find out what their process is.

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For what reasons can a landlord evict a tenant?

A landlord can evict a tenant if the tenant:

• Fails to pay rent.

• Breaks any of the rules in the lease agreement.

• Damages the property.

• Does not have a written lease, but pays rent monthly, and the landlord gives a notice to move.

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A landlord cannot evict a tenant for:

• Complaining to a building inspector, fire department, health inspector, or other governmental agency about unsafe, unhealthy, or illegal living conditions.

• Not paying rent, if the tenant left the property for a period of time because of domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence.

• Not paying rent, if the landlord accepted the rent due before the notice period ended.

• Race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, familial status, military status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or being a protected party under an order of protection.

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Can landlords evict tenants at this time?

Yes. Governor Pritzker’s eviction moratorium expired Oct. 3, 2021. All eviction cases may be filed, and all eviction orders and judgments may be enforced.

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