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ULA Emergency Income Support Program

Administered by the City of Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department

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The ULA Emergency Income Support Program (ISP) provides up to $19,000 in financial assistance to low-income households with a senior and/or person with a disability who are at risk of displacement from their homes.

Program Overview

The City of Los Angeles invites low-income, renter households with a senior and/or person with a disability to apply for the United to House LA Emergency Income Support Program! This program will prioritize households impacted by the January 2025 Wildfires and other recent community emergencies.

Eligible, selected households may receive up to $19,000 in financial assistance based on household size.

  • 1-2 people: $12,510

  • 3-4 people: $15,606

  • 5+ people: $19,000
     

Applications are open April 10th - 30th, 2026

Family Outdoor Portrait

How the Program Works

Step 1: Submit an application online or by visiting a FamilySource Center for assistance with submitting an application

Step 2: Program staff review applications for eligibility

Step 3: If Benefits Counseling was agreed to, approved applicants complete free Benefits Counseling

Step 4:  Financial assistance is issued to approved applicants

Family Playing Cards

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you, and/or someone in your household, must -

  • Be a renter living in the City of Los Angeles;

  • One or more individuals within the household must be a senior and/or person with a disability, defined as:​

    • Senior – a person who is at least 65 years of age or older at the time of application;​

    • Person with Disability – a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning, or working;

  • Have a gross household income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI);

  • Have experienced being rent-burdened, defined as paying more than 30 percent of total household income for rent each month,

  • Be at risk of homelessness, defined as a household with past due rent or an eviction warning notice, Unlawful Detainer filing, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, or any other household debts that serve as evidence of such risk, or that meet the definition under § 576.2 of the ESG Program Interim Rule and § 578.3 of the Continuum of Care Program Interim Rule;

  • Not be the landlord, master tenant or homeowner;

  • Not be related to the landlord or property owner (“Related” includes immediate and extended family members, such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws); and

  • Not have participated in the 2025 ULA Income Support Program.

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In addition, the households that meet the following criteria will be prioritized:

  •  Impacted by recent local emergencies, including loss of income due to workplace closure or safety concerns, business impact related to the emergencies, reasonable expenditures stemming from government-ordered emergency measures, or displacement caused by mandatory evacuation;

  • Have a gross household income at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI);

  • Have experienced being severely rent-burdened, defined as paying more than 50 percent of total household income for rent each month; and

  • Residency in a rental unit subject to the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).

Household Income Limits

Area Median Income (AMI)
Eligibility is based on household size and income level.

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Required Documentation

 The following documents are used to confirm eligibility.

Applicant Documents

  • You must provide one (1) government-issued identification document for each required person.

    • If you are applying as a person age 65+ or as a person with a disability, provide your ID.

    • If you are applying on behalf of a household that includes a person age 65+, you must provide your ID and the ID of the person age 65+.

    Acceptable identification documents include:

    • Drivers License

    • State or Provincial ID Card

    • Passport

    • Voter ID Card

    • Military ID

    • Permanent Resident Card

    • Work Permit or Employment Authorization Card

    • National ID Card

    • Tribal ID Card

    ​If your document does not clearly show your residency, additional documentation may be required.​

  • ​You must provide at least one (1) document that verifies your current residency. The following are acceptable examples (this list is not exhaustive):

    • Recent utility bill (water, sewer, electricity, or trash)

    • Drivers License or State ID

    • Lease agreement or mortgage statement

    • Official government or city correspondence addressed to the applicant

    • Bank or credit card statements

    • Voter Registration Card (showing name and address)

    • City/state/federal tax documents

    If your document does not clearly show your residency, additional documentation may be required.

  • ​You must provide at least one (1) document that shows your rent payment history. Acceptable examples include:

    • Bank or credit card statement

    • Rent receipts

    • Cleared checks

    • Money order receipts

    • Payment confirmation emails or screenshots from online payment systems

    • A rent ledger or statement provided by the landlord or property management company

    • A signed letter from the landlord confirming rent payments

    If your document does not clearly show your payment history, additional documentation may be required.

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  • You must provide documentation that verifies the household's income. Each household member who receives income (other than cash payments) must provide documentation for each income source. Acceptable examples include:
     

    • Pay Stubs (2 most recent, consecutive)

    • 2025 Tax Return

    • 2025 W-2 Form

    • 2025 1099 Form

    • Employment Verification Letter

    • 2025 Social Security Benefits Statement

    • 2025 Rental Income Documents

    • 2025 Pension Statement

    • Alimony or Child Support Documents

    • Dividend or Interest Income Statements

    • Profit and Loss Statements

    • Public Assistance Benefits Letter
       

    If your documentation does not clearly show the income amount or source, additional documentation may be required. 

PRO TIP You can upload and store documents in your FORWARD profile so that you can easily find them to include in your applications. The following file formats are supported: .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .xls, and .xlsx.

Need help with your application? We’re here to support you.

FORWARD 

Application support is available if you have questions about how to apply, need help uploading documents, or run into technical issues along the way. This program is supported by FORWARD, which helps manage the application process and applicant support in partnership with the program administrator.

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FamilySource Center

Need in-person support with completing an application? Visit one of the eight FamilySource Centers listed below!

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Need help over the phone?
Call 1-855-582-3973. 
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FamilySource Centers

For in-person assistance with the application process, please connect with one of the eight authorized FamilySource Centers listed below or click here to download the list.

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All Peoples Community Center, Southeast LA

822 E 20th St., Los Angeles, CA 90011

(213) 747-6357

Mon–Thu: 8 AM–7 PM
Fri: 8 AM–6 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

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P.F. Bresee Foundation, Hollywood

184 Bimini Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90004
(213) 387-2822

Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 AM–6 PM
Tue, Thu: 10 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

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El Centro de Ayuda, Boyle Heights

2130 1st St., Suite 110,
Los Angeles, CA 90033

(323) 526-9301

Mon–Thu: 8 AM–8 PM
Fri: 8 AM–5 PM
Sat: 8 AM–5 PM

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El Centro de Amistad, Panorama City

14500 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 205, Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 441-7127Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:30 AM–5 PM
Tue, Thu: 8:30 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

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Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Wilshire

1230 Menlo Ave., Suite 100,
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 365-7400

Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 AM–6:30 PM
Tue, Thu: 9 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–5:30 PM

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New Economics for Women, Canoga Park

21400 Saticoy St.,
Canoga Park, CA 91304

(818) 887-3872

Mon, Wed, Fri: 8 AM–5 PM
Tue, Thu: 8 AM–7 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

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Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Watts

1212 E 108th St.,
Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 357-6262

Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Tue, Thu: 8:30 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

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West Adams / Leimert Park Center, West Adams

4305 Degnan Blvd., Suite 105,
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 991-5850

Mon, Wed, Fri: 9 AM–6 PM
Tue, Thu: 9 AM–8 PM
Sat: 9 AM–2 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

  • The ULA Emergency Income Support Program provides financial assistance to low-income households with a senior and/or a person with a disability who are at risk of displacement from their homes.

  • The ULA Emergency Income Support Program is funded by United to House LA (ULA), a sustainable funding stream dedicated to affordable housing production and homelessness prevention in the City of Los Angeles. Funding is generated from the Measure ULA tax on the sale of real estate over $5.3 million. For more information, visit: https://housing.lacity.gov/ula.

  • Extremely and very low-income, renter households in the City of Los Angeles that have a senior and/or a person with a disability. Eligible households must also be rent-burdened and at-risk of homelessness. This program will prioritize households impacted by the January 2025 Wildfires and other recent community emergencies.

How the Process Works

  • Step 1: Application is submitted
    Step 2: Program staff review eligibility
    Step 3: If needed, communication between program staff and applicant to collect additional documents
    Step 4: Participants are selected and notified
    Step 5: If selected, participants receive benefits counseling
    Step 6: Program payment is issued

  • You will receive a confirmation email once your application has been submitted. Applications are reviewed for eligibility and accuracy, and you may be contacted by FORWARD if additional information is needed.

     

    Once your application has been fully reviewed and verified, you will receive a notification with the determination. If you requested Benefits Counseling, you will also receive instructions on how to connect with the nearest benefits counselor. This step must be completed before any payment can be issued.

     

    If your application is approved, payment will be issued via a prepaid debit card and mailed either to the applicant’s address or to a FamilySource Center, based on the payment preference selected in the application.

Eligibility

  • To be eligible for this program, you, and/or someone in your household, must -

    • Be a renter living in the City of Los Angeles;

    • One or more individuals within the household must be a senior and/or person with a disability, defined as:​

      • Senior – a person who is at least 65 years of age or older at the time of application;​

      • Person with Disability – a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for oneself, learning, or working;

    • Have a gross household income at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI);

    • Have experienced being rent-burdened, defined as paying more than 30 percent of total household income for rent each month,

    • Be at risk of homelessness, defined as a household with past due rent or an eviction warning notice, Unlawful Detainer filing, unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, or any other household debts that serve as evidence of such risk, or that meet the definition under § 576.2 of the ESG Program Interim Rule and § 578.3 of the Continuum of Care Program Interim Rule;

    • Not be the landlord, master tenant or homeowner;

    • Not be related to the landlord or property owner (“Related” includes immediate and extended family members, such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws); and

    • Not have participated in the 2025 ULA Income Support Program.

    ​

    In addition, the households that meet the following criteria will be prioritized:

    • Impacted by recent local emergencies, including loss of income due to workplace closure or safety concerns, business impact related to the emergencies, reasonable expenditures stemming from government-ordered emergency measures, or displacement caused by mandatory evacuation;

    • Have a gross household income at or below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI);

    • Have experienced being severely rent-burdened, defined as paying more than 50 percent of total household income for rent each month; and

    • Residency in a rental unit subject to the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).

Application Process

  • The ULA Emergency Income Support Program is open for application submission from April 10th and will close at 12 PM PDT on April 30th, 2026.

  • You must create an account to apply for this program. You can create your account by following these simple steps:​

    1. Click on the APPLY HERE button at the top of this page

    2. Select "Create a new user account"

    3. Enter your legal first and last name, and a valid email address that you can access

    4. Once you click "Create Account," you will receive an email with a link to set your password

    5. Select the link in your email and set your secure password

    6. Once you set your password, you will be directed to the login page

    7. Input your email and password, Login and complete your application!

  • Application support is available if you have questions about how to apply, need help uploading documents, or run into technical issues along the way. For in-person assistance with completing your application, please visit a local FamilySource Center listed below;

    • All Peoples Community Center, Southeast LA​

    822 E 20th St., Los Angeles, CA 90011
    (213) 747-6357

    • P.F. Bresee Foundation, Hollywood

    184 Bimini Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90004
    (213) 387-2822

    • El Centro de Amistad, Panorama City

    14500 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 205, Panorama City, CA 91402
    (818) 441-7127

    • El Centro de Ayuda, Boyle Heights

    2130 1st St., Suite 110, Los Angeles, CA 90033
    (323) 526-9301

    • Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Wilshire

    1230 Menlo Ave., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90006
    (213) 365-7400

    • New Economics for Women, Canoga Park

    21400 Saticoy St., Canoga Park, CA 91304
    (818) 887-3872

    • West Adams / Leimert Park Center, West Adams

    4305 Degnan Blvd., Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90008
    (323) 991-5850

    • Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Watts

    1212 E 108th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059
    (323) 357-6262

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    This program is supported by FORWARD, which helps manage the application process and applicant support in partnership with the program administrator. To contact FORWARD Support, please call 1-855-582-3973 or email at support@forwardplatform.zendesk.com 

  • Yes. You will receive an email confirmation from ula-emergency-income-support@forwardplatform.com once your application is received. Check your spam/junk folder if you are still waiting to receive an email shortly after submitting your application.

  • Once you have created a FORWARD account, you can begin your application. After your application is submitted, you will receive an email with your application ID number. The email will also have a link to follow (using your email address and the password you set up) to go to MY APPLICATIONS, where you can check your current application status.

  • Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email acknowledging that it has been received. All applications will be prioritized based on predefined eligibility tiers. Eligible applications will then be reviewed for accuracy and eligibility. If any inconsistencies or missing information are identified, FORWARD will contact you using the information provided in your application.

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    After the eligible applications are reviewed for accuracy and the review process is complete, you will be notified whether your application has been approved or denied (with the reason provided).

    If approved, funds will be distributed shortly after. Funds will be distributed via US Bank ReliaCard debit cards either mailed to the address you provide on your application OR you may contact the Community-Based Organization (CBO) that assisted with your application for you to arrange pickup of the pre-paid debit card on which your funds are loaded.

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    What if I want to withdraw from the program? You may withdraw from the program at any time by submitting a request via email or phone to customer support at support@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or 1-855-582-3973. Upon receiving your cancellation request, we will review it and provide confirmation.

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    Please be advised that once your participation is withdrawn, it cannot be reinstated.

  • You may withdraw from the program at any time by submitting a request via email or phone to Customer Support at support@forwardplatform.zendesk.com or 1-855-582-3973. Once we receive your request, it will be reviewed and a confirmation will be provided.

    Alternatively, you may withdraw your application online by following these steps:

    • Go to https://cifd.forwardplatform.com/login and sign in with your email address and password

    • Click on “My Application” in the top right corner

    • Under “Status,” select “View Application.”

    • Locate the “Withdraw Request” section on the left-hand side and click on it

    • Follow the prompts to withdraw your application for the ULA Emergency Income Support Program

    • Click “Save & Submit for Review” to complete your request
       

    Please note that once your participation has been withdrawn, it cannot be reinstated.

Award Details 

  • Program funds are flexible and can be used how participants see fit. There are no restrictions—you can use the money for whatever helps you most, like rent, food, childcare, transportation, school, or other personal needs.

  • Eligible, selected households may receive up to $19,000 in financial assistance based on household size.

    • 1-2 people: $12,510

    • 3-4 people: $15,606

    • 5+ people: $19,000

  • The award will be distributed as a one time lump sum payment.

  • FORWARD is anticipating the first payments to go out late April to early May of 2026.

  • No, these funds are non-taxable, and you will not receive a 1099 at the end of 2026. However, you are highly encouraged to consult with a tax professional for specific advice regarding your personal tax situation.

  • Possibly. Payments from the ULA Emergency Income Support Program are considered non-taxable income and do not count as earned income; however, they may still affect eligibility for certain public benefits depending on your individual situation and the rules of each program.

     

    If your application is approved and selected, free benefits counseling is available to help you understand how this payment could impact your specific benefits and to support you in making informed decisions. You can indicate your interest in receiving benefits counseling directly within the application.

     

    We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this resource. You may also wish to keep a copy of any program documentation for your records and consult your case manager or benefits worker for additional guidance.

  • For information regarding the U.S. Bank ReliaCard, please click HERE.

Denials & Appeals

  • If your application is denied, a Letter of Denial will be sent to the email address provided in your application. Additional information will be provided at that time.

  • Denial of applications can result from:

    • Altered or Forged Documentation

    • Applications that are fraudulent or misleading.

    • Duplicate Application

    • Incomplete Application

    • Withdrawal

    • Fund depletion/Program ends

    • Residing Outside Los Angeles City Limits

    • No Household Member 65+ or Disabled

    • Over 50% AMI

    • Has not Experienced being Rent-Burdened

    • No Risk of Homelessness

    • Household Member is the Landlord, Master Tenant or Homeowner

    • Household Member Related to Landlord/Property Owner

    • Household Participated in the 2025 ULA Income Support Program

    • Not Selected in the Tiered Prioritization Process

© CIFD ULA Emergency Income Support Program powered by FORWARD

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