More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic took root in New Mexico, some residents still struggle with unemployment or rental assistance and benefits.
BreAnna Arizmendi is among those residents who have yet to see a dime from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
KOB4 reported that the mother of four is still waiting on a check for $3,600 to cover three months of rent that she was supposed to receive back in August.
Arizmendi, who worked as an optometrist tech, had applied for the funding in April and her request was accepted at the end of June.
"I was literally driving to go donate plasma when I got the email,” Arizmendi told the station. “So I turned around, all glory to God, and now I’m just waiting and waiting. Now October is coming and I'm like, 'Okay I only have one more paycheck coming and it's not enough to cover my October rent.”
With no assistance check, Arizmendi has had to borrow money from friends and family, KOB4 reported.
ERAP Director Donnie Quintana pins the blame for the backlog on missing documentation.
“Missing documents may include self-certified documentation of need, documented impact from COVID-19, or a completed tax document from the landlord,” Quintana told KOB4. “In the event these documents are not provided, ERAP staff will make direct contact with the applicant or landlord to obtain missing information.”
The New Mexico Sun reported that ERAP still has $127 million of $170 million in federal funding to use before September 2022.
