ACP Services & COVID-19 Updates

The Address Confidentiality Program continues to provide essential services with participant communication, mail forwarding, and stakeholder communication as their top priority. https://azsos.gov/services/acp

 

El Programa de Confidencialidad de Direcciones continues to provide essential services with participant communication, mail forwarding, and stakeholder communication as their top priority. https://azsos.gov/services/acp

 

At ACP, the safety of our participants, Application Assistants, and staff members is our top priority, and we take the health and well-being of every person very seriously. With the impact of the COVID-19 community spread, the ACP is doing everything we can to ensure uninterrupted services.

The Address Confidentiality Program continues to provide essential services with participant communication, mail forwarding, and stakeholder communication as our top priority.

Currently, the ACP is operating as usual. We will provide any updates or changes as we receive them on our - Website and in recorded messages on the ACP phone line at (602)542-1653.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

 

UPDATES

Free Summer Meals are Available for ALL Children

Schools and community sites will be serving FREE nutritious meals through the summer for ALL children, regardless of income. The USDA recently extended free school meals for all children through June 2022. In some instance schools will be able to provide children with not only breakfast and lunch but also after school snacks and dinner - all this throughout the summer months as well. There are no requirements to get free meals for your kids – just show up! To find out which location is closest to you, click on this link. For more info and FAQ, visit their site and scroll down. If you receive P-EBT benefits you can also receive free summer meals – they are two separate programs, and families can participate in both.

 

Eviction Update

The CDC extended the eviction moratorium for one month until July 31, 2021. This is intended to be the final extension. The moratorium offers protection to households living in rental housing by halting the enforcement of evictions. Amid national concern that US Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds were not being administered at the speed necessary to halt a wave of evictions, the Biden administration initiated a series of actions including acceleration of rental assistance funds and use of eviction diversion.

Rental Assistance

Emergency rental assistance is available to every community statewide.

 

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP):

DES launched an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in which households will be able to apply for rental and utility assistance for participating counties. The following counties are currently distributing emergency rental and utility assistance: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai.

If you reside in any of the above 12 counties, please contact the ACP at 602-542-1653 to obtain information on how to apply! If you apply directly online for the assistance using your ACP address, your application will be denied. Moreover, applying online using your residential address will cause your address to be unprotected.

DES does not have an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) for the counties of Maricopa, Pima and Yuma. Contact the ACP at 602-542-1653 for direction on how to apply for assistance in these counties.

Tribal Nations

Tribal communities received separate allocations of ERA funds. Households living on tribal lands should contact their local tribal government for assistance and ACP at 602-542-1653 with questions related to applying using their substitute address.

Other Rental Assistance

In collaboration with Solari Crisis and Human Services, the Arizona Housing Coalition continued to track and update additional rental assistance funds.

 

Additional Resources

Below are additional resources related to the eviction moratorium, including where to locate legal assistance, COVID-19 forbearance relief, a guide to using the Eviction Moratorium, and a Landlord Tenant workshop. Please call ACP at 602-542-1653 with any questions related to your use of the substitute address when applying for any of these services or relief.

Guide to Using the Eviction Moratorium

Residents at risk of eviction must follow certain steps to use the eviction moratorium, including issuing a declaration to the property owner. If the declaration is not issued, the moratorium cannot be used. See the guide for more information.

Accessing Legal Assistance

Residents can be screened for legal assistance by visiting AZLawHelp.org, or by calling 866-637-5341. Resources and information may also be located at AZEvictionHelp.

Updates for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Insured Borrowers

Currently there are over 300,000 FHA borrowers who are at least 60 days delinquent on their mortgage who have not sought help to avoid future foreclosure. COVID-19 forbearance relief is available for delinquent borrowers. See HUD's resources for homeowners.

Landlord Tenant Engagement Workshop

Tuesday, August 10; 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Presented by Step Up to Justice and Southwest Fair Housing Council

Register

 

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:

For ACP participants applying for Unemployment Benefits, you must list your own phone number when filing an Unemployment Insurance claim. This is so DES can contact you directly. Please do not use the ACP phone number as this will cause a delay in DES being able to speak to you. If you have questions related to filing an Unemployment Insurance claim, please check the UI FAQ webpage here: https://des.az.gov/services/employment/unemployment-individual/how-do-i-and-frequently-asked-questions .

 

HELPFUL TIPS

When a UI benefits specialist calls, they need to be able to leave you a message with instructions on next steps.

  • Make sure your voicemail is set up
  • Check it regularly to ensure your mailbox is not full

 

COVID 19 RESOURCES TO HELP STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY