By Thomas L. Lasley

Kansas Legal Services wants to make you aware of the recent establishment of the Kansas Homeowner Assistance Fund for low-income Kansas (seniors and non-seniors) that may be able to provide real property tax relief.

KHAF is a recent program created under the American Rescue Plan Act due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its purpose is to help qualifying senior and non-senior Kansans become current on their mortgages, property taxes, utilities, etc., in order to avoid foreclosure.

Kansas has been allocated $56.6 million in relief funds for KHAF. The program is temporary and will only continue until all funds have been exhausted. In order to apply for this fund, you must do so online.

To qualify for KHAF funds you must show that:

• • Your household income is less than 150% of the greater of the area median income by county in Kansas. In Johnson County, the KHAF income limits start at $101,650 for one person and increase depending upon the number of persons in your household. (For a complete income listing see the income chart on the above website.)
• • Your income was reduced, or your living expenses were increased due to COVID-19.
• • Your mortgage payments or property taxes, etc. are at least 30 days past due.
• • The deed is in your name and the home is your primary residence.

There are additional qualifications, so go to the above website for a complete list. The key with the KHAF fund is to apply ASAP before the funds are exhausted.

KLS does not assist Kansans in applying online because there is already an organization on its website that provides free assistance for that purpose. The phone number for the KHAF Call Center/Application Assistance is 855-307-KHAF(5423).

Because we have been able to make our clients aware of this mortgage and tax relief program, some KLS clients already have been successful in receiving KHAF funds to pay off a large portion of their back taxes, thus avoiding foreclosure. If you qualify, we strongly urge you to immediately apply for these KHAF funds while the program lasts.

Kansas Legal Services is a statewide, non-profit law firm. Through our Area Agency on Aging Program, we are devoted to providing free legal services to Kansas residents who are: 60 years of age and older, Kansas residents and U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

For convenience purposes, we make monthly, free “site visits” at the following locations and schedules, in Johnson County.

• On the second Thursday of every other month, we are at the Kansas Area Agency on Aging at its offices in the Johnson County Sunset Building, 11811 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a free 30-minute appointment, call 913-715-8860.
• On the second Thursday of every other month, we are at the Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a free 30-minute appointment, call 913-826-3160.
• On the third Wednesday of every month, we are at the Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For a free 30-minute appointment, call 913-826-2830.

You can also apply for free legal assistance by calling our local Kansas City, Kansas office at 913-621-0200 or our statewide number at 1-800-723-6953, or by completing a KLS application online on the KLS website at kansaslegalservices.org.

Thomas L. Lasley is an attorney for Kansas Legal Services, licensed in both Kansas and Missouri, with more than 40 years of experience in elder law and estate planning.