Documents

Documents Required to Apply

Documents Required to Apply

The below list is a sampling of documents that may be necessary for landlords and tenants to complete the application for rent or utility expense relief. This documentation list is not exhaustive, and additional documentation may be requested at any time during the eligibility review process at the discretion of Los Angeles County DCBA to ensure compliance with Program Guidelines.

Other documents may be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Proof of Income

    1. Federal Tax Returns: Copies of the most recent federal tax returns (2023 to present), including all schedules and attachments; or
    2. W-2 Forms: Copies of W-2 forms for each employer from the previous year; or
    3. Pay Stubs: Recent pay stubs covering the past few months to demonstrate consistent income; or
    4. Employment Verification Letter: A letter from the employer stating the applicant’s position, salary, and period of employment; or
    5. Social Security Benefits Statement: A statement showing the amount of Social Security benefits received; or
    6. Pension or Retirement Income: Documentation of pension or retirement income, such as a benefits statement; or
    7. Unemployment Benefits: Documentation of unemployment benefits received, if applicable; or
    8. Disability Income: Proof of disability income, such as benefit statements; or
    9. Alimony or Child Support Payments: Court documents or written agreements showing alimony or child support payments received; or
    10. Rental Income: Documentation of rental income received from properties owned; or
    11. Interest and Dividends: Statements from banks or financial institutions showing interest and dividend income; or
    12. Bank Statements: Copies of recent bank statements showing regular deposits and account balances; or
    13. Savings Bonds: Proof of interest earned from savings bonds; or
    14. Veterans Benefits: Documentation of veterans’ benefits received; or
    15. Public Assistance or TANF: Proof of any public assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) received; or
    16. Worker’s Compensation: Documentation of worker’s compensation benefits; or
    17. Annuity Statements: Statements showing income from annuities; or
    18. Stocks or Bonds: Documentation of income from stocks or bonds; or
    19. Trust Income: Proof of income from trusts; or
    20. Other Government Assistance: Documentation of any other government assistance received; or
    21. Self-Employment Income: If self-employed, copies of tax returns and profit/loss statements; or
    22. Letter of Explanation: A letter explaining any special circumstances affecting income; or
    23. Other documents may be allowed on a case-by-case basis; AND

Proof of Identity

    1. Government-issued photo ID: This can be a valid driver’s license, state ID card, passport (including international), or military ID; or
    2. Birth certificate: A certified copy of the applicant’s birth certificate; or
    3. Social Security card: The applicant’s original or a certified copy of their Social Security card; or
    4. Green Card or Immigration Status Documentation: For non-U.S. citizens, documents verifying their immigration status, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or work visa; or
    5. Naturalization Certificate: For naturalized citizens, a copy of the certificate of naturalization; or
    6. Certificate of Citizenship: For individuals who acquired U.S. citizenship through other means, such as through parents, a copy of the Certificate of Citizenship; or
    7. Tribal Identification Card: For members of recognized Native American tribes, a valid tribal ID card; or
    8. Consular Identification Card: For foreign nationals, a consular ID card issued by their home country’s embassy or consulate; or
    9. Voter Registration Card: A valid voter registration card can also be used as an identity document in some cases; or
    10. Public Assistance Card: Some states issue public assistance cards that can be used as proof of identity for government programs; or
    11. School or College ID: If the applicant is a student, a current school or college ID card may be accepted; or
    12. Utility Bills: Recent utility bills (e.g., electricity, water, gas) with the applicant’s name and address can help verify identity; or
    13. Bank Statements: Recent bank statements with the applicant’s name and address can also serve as proof of identity; or
    14. Vehicle Registration: For vehicle owners, a copy of the vehicle registration with the applicant’s name and address; or
    15. Employment ID: A current employee ID card issued by the applicant’s employer; or
    16. Letter from a Government Agency: A letter from a government agency attesting to the applicant’s identity; or
    17. Other documents may be allowed on a case-by-case basis; AND

Proof of Ownership

    1. Deed: A copy of the property deed showing the applicant’s name as the owner; or
    2. Title Insurance Policy: A copy of the title insurance policy that confirms ownership and any encumbrances on the property; or
    3. Property Tax Statement: A current property tax statement or receipt indicating ownership; or
    4. Mortgage Statement: A recent mortgage statement showing the applicant as the borrower; or
    5. Homeowners Insurance Policy: A copy of the current homeowner’s insurance policy for the property; or
    6. Property Appraisal: A recent property appraisal report that includes the applicant’s name as the owner; or
    7. Property Assessment Notice: A copy of the property assessment notice from the local tax assessor’s office; or
    8. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Statement: If applicable, a statement from a home equity line of credit account; or
    9. Home Purchase Agreement: A copy of the agreement used when purchasing the property; or
    10. Settlement Statement (HUD-1): The HUD-1 settlement statement used during the property purchase; or
    11. Quitclaim Deed: If the property ownership was transferred via a quitclaim deed, a copy of the deed; or
    12. Property Survey: A recent property survey report; or
    13. Warranty Deed: If the property ownership was transferred via a warranty deed, a copy of the deed; or
    14. Utility Bills: Recent utility bills addressed to the applicant for the property address; or
    15. Other documents may be allowed on a case-by-case basis; AND

Proof of tenancy of unit applied for

    1. Current signed lease agreement; or
    2. Other written agreement; or
    3. Copies of canceled checks or bank statements showing rental payments to the landlord; or
    4. Other documents may be allowed on a case-by-case basis; AND

Proof of rent owed

    1. Current rent ledger documenting tenant arrears (by each month, including any rental assistance previously paid directly to the landlord, if available)
    2. Current rent due statement/letter from the landlord or management company
    3. Prior eviction notices, including 15-day, 3-day, or other payment notice (must include amount of rent outstanding); or

Proof of outstanding eligible expenses

    1. Current utility bill(s) documenting overdue balance for gas, electric, water, and/or waste removal from companies including, but not limited to, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas Company, WM, Consolidated Disposal Service, Allied Waste Services;
    2. Landscaping services;
    3. Any applicable fees passed on to the tenant as part of their lease agreement and rent payments;
    4. Upkeep/maintenance costs for amenities included in the lease and included in the rent for the unit; and
    5. Any late fees incurred as a result of landlord not being able to make payments for any of the allowable utility and upkeep/maintenance costs outlined above

For unit(s) vacant due to wildfire-related repair needs, proof such as:

    1. Copies of all estimates, contracts, bills, invoices, canceled checks, and any other documentation necessary to verify the cost of the repairs and its financing.
    2. Copies of work plans and permits issued for the repair work (if available).
    3. The estimated commencement and completion dates of the repairs (if known).

Proof of detention or deportation

    1. Proof via database search: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search (in detention) or https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/ (in immigration court); or
    2. Any document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs & Border Protection) indicating that a household member has been detained for immigration enforcement or deported; or
    3. Legal Retainer for Counsel that is representing tenant in a matter related to immigration enforcement; or
    4. Engagement Letter for Counsel that will represent tenant in a matter related to immigration enforcement; or
    5. Communication from an immigrant serving Community Based Organization; regarding deportation and/or detainment; or
    6. Completed attestation by the tenant, if documentation cannot be provided.