Can I verify if my landlord got NY unemployment rental assistance without asking them directly?

Just call ur landlord lol why make it complicated

I'm worried he might not be honest. That's why I want to verify independently before bringing it up.

You can verify this information by contacting the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in New York. They can tell you if payments were made to your landlord on your behalf. Call their hotline at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368) or check your application status online if you applied through the NYS portal. The landlord should have also received notification letters about any payments made for your unit, and you should have received copies as well. If you applied through a local organization, contact them directly as they'll have records of disbursements.

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed. I'll call the ERAP hotline tomorrow morning. I did apply for assistance but wasn't sure if it went through or what happened afterward.

OMG I went through this EXACT situation last year!!! My landlord actually got $4,200 in assistance for my apartment but was still threatening eviction!!! I found out by checking my ERAP application status online and seeing it said

That's terrible! Landlords can be so shady sometimes. Glad you caught him in the lie.

Yeah it was awful!! I was so stressed for MONTHS and the whole time he had the money!!

There are a few official ways to verify this information:\n\n1. **ERAP Portal**: If you created an account when applying for Emergency Rental Assistance, log in to check your application status. It should show payment details.\n\n2. **Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)**: They administer rental assistance programs in NY. Contact them at 844-NY1-RENT (844-691-7368).\n\n3. **Documentation**: You should have received confirmation letters for any approved assistance that specified the amount and to whom it was paid.\n\n4. **Local Housing Assistance Office**: Visit in person with your case number and ID.\n\nKeep in mind that landlords are legally required to apply any rental assistance received toward your outstanding balance and cannot evict you for previously owed rent that was covered by assistance programs.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'll check the ERAP portal first and then call OTDA if I can't find the information. I didn't realize landlords couldn't evict for rent that was covered by assistance - that's good to know.

I had a similar situation back in 2024 where I suspected my landlord received assistance but wasn't crediting my account. I tried everything - calling agencies, checking portals - but kept getting the runaround. I was about to give up when someone told me about Claimyr. They got me connected to an actual ERAP representative at OTDA in under 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days. The agent confirmed my landlord had received $3,750 for my unit two months earlier! You can check them out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. Seriously saved me from potential eviction.

does this really work? the hold times for ny agencies are insane

It did for me. I was skeptical too but I was desperate after being on hold for literally 3+ hours multiple days in a row. The OTDA rep I finally spoke with was actually helpful once I got through.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I applied for rent help SEVEN MONTHS AGO and still dont know if my landlord got paid!!!! Every time I call its 2+ hours on hold just to talk to someone who knows NOTHING!!! Meanwhile my landlord keeps saying he got NOTHING but I dont believe him!!! How are we supposed to survive when nobody will even tell us if the help we applied for actually happened?????

I understand your frustration. For cases like yours where there's significant delay, I'd recommend requesting a formal status letter from OTDA. Submit the request in writing with your application ID and they're required to respond with documentation of where your application stands and whether any payments were made.

I've sent FOUR letters already!!!! Nobody responds!!!! This is why people end up HOMELESS!!!!

One important thing to know is that in New York, if your landlord accepted rental assistance funds, they agreed to certain terms including:\n\n1. They cannot evict you for the months covered by that assistance\n2. They must waive any late fees for the covered period\n3. They cannot increase your rent for 12 months after receiving the funds\n\nIf you discover they received funds but are still trying to collect the same rent from you directly, that's illegal. Document everything and consider contacting a tenant rights organization if this is happening.

This is really important information - I had no idea about these protections. My landlord has been charging late fees and threatening to raise the rent, so this could be significant if he did receive assistance.

my friend works for a landlord and says tons of them double dip - get the govt money AND still make tenants pay. its super common apparently

That's fraud and highly illegal. Tenants who experience this should report it immediately to the NY Attorney General's Office at 1-800-771-7755. There are significant penalties for landlords who engage in this practice.

Did anyone help this person?? I'm in a similar situation in Albany, my landlord says he never got my ERAP payment but the website shows it as paid! I've been trying to reach someone at OTDA for WEEKS and just get voicemail. I'm literally about to be evicted over rent that I think was already paid by the government!! This is so stressful I can't sleep!!

See my comment above about Claimyr - it might help you get through to OTDA faster. Also, if you have documentation showing the payment was made, bring that to your eviction hearing if it comes to that. The judge should stop the proceedings if you can prove the rent was covered by assistance.

i think theres a form you can fill out to get this info. my cousin did this last year when he was behind on rent. let me text him and ask what form it was

ok he said it's called a 'Freedom of Information Law request' or FOIL request that you send to OTDA. you have to include your full name, address, and application ID if you have one. it can take a few weeks but they legally have to tell you if payments were made for your unit.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I was able to check my ERAP application status online and found out that they did pay my landlord $5,860 two months ago! I'm going to confront him with this information and make sure he applies it to my account. I'll also look into making a complaint since he's been charging me late fees which apparently he's not allowed to do after accepting the assistance. I appreciate all your help!

Glad you were able to find the information! I'd recommend communicating with your landlord in writing (email or certified letter) about this discovery, so you have documentation of informing them. If they're uncooperative, contact the Legal Aid Society or Housing Court Answers for free legal assistance with addressing the situation.