Schuylkill County is estimated to receive $9,018,307.61 to help those unable to pay their rent because of the pandemic.

Schuylkill County Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said the county commissioners received the info of the award from the Department of Human Services recently.

“This is an opportunity to help them out. This has been a tough year (2020) on everybody,” he said.

Hetherington said the money is from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. A description of the program on the U.S. Treasury website says a total of $25 billion is available to assist households during the pandemic. Money is paid directly to states and other qualifying entities. At least 90 percent of the money must be used for “direct financial assistance, including rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy cost arrears, and other expenses related to housing.” Additional information is available on the website.

Hetherington said it is estimated 940 residences can be provided with full payment of rent for up to 12 months for the time period after March 13, 2020. Schuylkill Community Action will administer the money. No one answered the phone at the organization Friday.