House & Apartment

Landlords and tenants in eviction court may be able to get rental assistance payments through the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP). Apply online at Illinois Housing Help as soon as possible after an eviction case has been filed, as funds are limited.

Who is eligible to receive CBRAP assistance?

A tenant may be eligible to receive CBRAP assistance if:

• The tenant is a defendant in an eviction case because they fell behind on rent,
• The property being rented is the tenant's primary residence,
• The tenant's total gross household income doesn't exceed 80% of the Area Median Income, and
• The eviction case could lead to housing instability or homelessness.

Assistance is available to all eligible renters in Illinois regardless of immigration status. Tenants don't need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply. Illinois Housing Help has resources that explain the necessary documentation.

How does it work?

The CBRAP application is online at Illinois Housing Help. The tenant and landlord both fill out their information. Access to email is necessary to complete the application process.

When complete, the tenant's application is paired with the landlord's application and reviewed for eligibility. Applicants can check and see if a corresponding application has been completed by logging into their CBRAP account and viewing their status on the application dashboard.

Note: If a landlord chooses not to complete their application within 21 days of the tenant submitting a complete application, the tenant may still be able to receive CBRAP assistance directly through a special review process that offers up to 2 months of future rent payments. Cook County tenants may be able to exercise their one-time right to “pay to stay" by using CBRAP to pay the rent due plus court and service fees—call Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt at (855) 956-5763 for more information.

How much assistance is available?

Currently, CBRAP assistance will cover up to $15,000 of emergency rental payments, including up to two months of future rent payments and up to $500 for court costs. If an application is approved, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will notify the landlord and tenant of the amount that will be paid. Funds will be paid directly to the landlord unless the landlord didn't complete their application within 21 days of the tenant submitting a complete application. 

Need help? 

Call the Illinois Housing Development Authority at (866) 454-3571 for support.