SC Stay Plus: South Carolina’s Rent and Utility Assistance Program
All funding for SC Stay Plus provided by the US Treasury has been expended. We regret that we will not be able to offer further financial assistance; however, we realize there may still be a need for assistance. Should you need more assistance, please reach out to 211 or visit https://sc211.org to find resources in your area.
The SC Stay Plus Program, a rental and utility assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury, launched in May 2021 to assist those who are experiencing financial hardships and housing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 global health emergency that has disrupted the lives of so many.
The program helped impacted households get back on track by providing up to 12 months of rental and utility assistance dating back to March 13, 2020; up to three months of future rent to stabilize those with housing insecurity; and covered other housing costs (including moving expenses, motel/hotel stays, storage costs and security deposits) for those who have been displaced because of the pandemic.
Customer Service is available from 8 am to 8 pm for any questions at 803.336.3420.
Please note: Residents in 39 counties were eligible to participate in the program. The following seven counties received other funding and are providing their own rental assistance programs: Anderson, Berkeley, Charleston, Greenville, Horry, Richland, and Spartanburg – click here for information about those programs.
Assistance was available for households in which one or more individuals meet the following criteria:
- Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
- Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Has a household income at or below 80% of county median income adjusted by family size.
Based upon federal requirements, priority will be given to households with an income at or below 50% of the median income and those with an individual who has been unemployed for more than 90 days. Household income can be determined by using income for calendar year 2020 or the household’s monthly income at the time of application.
Funding for the program is made available through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
To prepare for the launch of SC Stay Plus, applicants can start by gathering the following documentation. Please note: Not all documents are required, and lack of some documents should not discourage applicants from applying.
Applicants should prepare:
- Pictures or scans of a photo identification (driver’s license, passport [including foreign passports], etc.)
- A copy (or picture) of their signed lease, or proof of rent payments (bank account statement [edit out any confidential information!] or Venmo/Zell screenshot) if a signed lease is not available.
- A 2020 Federal Tax Return (1040/1040EZ or equivalent) or pay stub from the last 60 days. Please note that only the first two pages of a tax return are required.
SC Housing recently relaxed its documentation requirements for applications, including allowing residents in 196 ZIP codes to simply self-attest to their income rather than provide documentation ( see a map and full list of ZIP codes here). SC Housing also has added staff members in order to provide additional in-person and telephonic support ( learn more in our Aug. 17, 2021 news release).
We are here to help! Our call center is open for extended hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern to assist applicants and landlords.
What if my SC Stay Plus application gets denied?
If you applied for SC Stay Plus and were denied, you may appeal that decision at any time within ten (10) calendar days from the date of your denial email by clicking here. You may also click the link in your denial email, or you may call 803-336-3420 or 1-800-476-0412. A decision on your appeal will be made within fourteen (14) calendar days from the time the appeal is filed, and you will be notified at the email address you used to apply. If any documentation or information was given as a reason for denial, you must provide that information or documentation for your appeal to be accepted.
The South Carolina Emergency Rental Assistance Program Advisory Panel is comprised of the following people:
- Director of the Department of Administration, or his designee: Brian Gaines, Director, Executive Budget Office
- Director of the Office of Regulatory Staff, or his designee: Amy Marshall, Manager, Finance and Administration
- Representative recommended by the Association of Counties appointed by the Board of Directors of SC Housing: David Hudspeth, York County Manager
- Representative from the Affordable Housing Coalition of South Carolina appointed by the Board of Directors of SC Housing: Alisa Mosley, Executive Director
- Representative from the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development appointed by the Board of Directors of SC Housing: Bernie Mazyck, President & CEO
- Representative from a utility provider appointed by the Public Service Commission: Christopher R. Koon, Attorney, SC Electric Cooperatives
The role of the Advisory Panel is to review and monitor the implementation and evaluation of the program and funding. Click here to email members of the Advisory Panel.
Advisory Panel meetings will begin at 11:00 am on the second Friday of each month until further notice. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. Please email emergencyhousing.ombudsman@schousing.com for more information.
SC Stay Plus has been created to assist South Carolina households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides payments directly to landlords and utility companies on behalf of affected renters. These funds are made available to South Carolinians under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and South Carolina Act 17 of 2021.
Landlords are required to provide the following information:
- Landlord name, address, Social Security Number and/or Tax ID number as applicable.
- A completed IRS Form W-9, ACH payment form, and voided check for electronic payment. If the payee is another party, this information must be provided from the other payee. Additionally, the landlord will also provide an attestation that payment can be made to this third party.
- Proof of ownership (deed, most recent real estate tax bill, or current property insurance policy). Note: SC Housing may also verify property ownership with a local municipal assessor’s office or with the registry of deeds.
If you have received an eviction notice or are concerned that you are about to be evicted, you can find a real estate attorney on the S.C. Bar website or reach out to SC Legal Services online or by calling 888.346.5592, which is working to support families who may be facing eviction. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Department of Veteran Affairs and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development partnered to create a housing assistance website to help homeowners and renters during the coronavirus pandemic.