What's Going On With ERAP and Tenants? (apartment, rent)

[Hudlander]

I know ERAP is not accepting new applicants, but what about those with pending?

Take the following scenario:

-'John' lost his job in 2021 and filed for ERAP. He was initially granted 10 months, and his landlord got paid.
-Then his contract position was not renewed, so another ERAP was filed, and he was approved for 5 months.
-However, while that ERAP did get approved in late 2022, it has not been paid.
-Thus since John is waiting for ERAP to pay the five months, he actually now is in arrears for well over a year/several months beyond the 15 months of ERAP eligibility.

What can happen given this odd scenario?
1. Will everything continue to stay on hold while ERAP is in limbo, potentially for months or years?
2. Let's say ERAP comes through with the final 5 months of payment; but by that time 'John' is now 24 months behind.
-Can the landlord come after 'John' for that back rent?

It seems to me, it may make the most sense for 'John' and his financial interest to keep occupying the unit in perpetuity until something finally occurs with ERAP, at which point if the landlord came after 'John' he could apply for the one shot deal, and if approved, get up to date with rent.

If 'John' were to leave his apartment now, it seems he would actually be at more financial risk because:
A. ERAP might be denied since he no longer lives at the unit.
B. If the landlord came after 'John' for back rent he could not apply for the one shot if he left his apartment.
C. If 'John' stayed in the apartment, and continued to accure more months of non-payment, if/when ERAP is finalized he could get a one shot grant and be off the hook, and even if not, he could just offer to leave the apartment within 2 weeks without getting the courts involved in exchange for not being formally evicted or sued.

Is that how the system works now for an ERAP applicant in holding?

[Hudlander]

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