The State Rental Assistance Program that helps you pay your rent is available beginning today throughout New Jersey.

The Department of Community Affairs says families, the elderly, those with disabilities and those who are homeless can qualify for the rental assistance, but the state is accepting only 1,000 pre-applications in each category.

To qualify in the elderly category, applicants must serve as head of household and be 62 years of age or older. For the family category, the head of household must be 18 years of age or an emancipated minor, with or without children. The disabled category requires the head of household or spouse to be permanently disabled. The homeless applicants must lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. 

Community Affairs says the applications will be entered into a database and a lottery system will be used to select applicants for the waiting lists with income limits depending on the county and the number of people living in the household.  

Applicants must provide names, Social Security numbers, birthdates and income information for all individuals living in the household, while disabled and homeless applicants must provide verification of their disability or homelessness at the time of selection from the waiting list. Having an email is also important, but you can call.

The pre-application portal opened at 9 a.m. News 12 has learned there were some technical issues with the site today, so the application process has been extended until July 25. 

Community Affairs -- (609) 292-4080 / select Option 9.   

For more information, click HERE.