SARASOTA — Sarasota County began accepting applications for its Emergency Rental Assistance Program today.

The county has $13 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance program available for  households finding it hard to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you qualify your household may receive up to 12 months of assistance, plus an additional three months if still needed. Eligibility is based on the household income. The income must be at or below of the demographic median income.

To see if you are eligible you can apply by visiting scgov.net/rent.