By: Katie Briante
With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging on, the CARES act unemployment benefit expiring at the end of July and the New Jersey unemployment still at a staggering [16.6%](https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.nj.htm); many New Jersey residents may be wondering what the state is doing to help keep them afloat in these difficult times.
One of the big measures that New Jersey has taken to financially help residents is preventing eviction for all tenants in the state.
On March 19, Governor Phil Murphy issued [Executive Order No. 106](https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-106.pdf), which states that "any lessee, tenant, homeowner or any other person shall not be removed from a residential property as the result of an eviction or foreclosure proceeding" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive order states that eviction and foreclosure proceedings may be initiated or continued while the order is in effect. However, the decision on those proceedings and any evictions or removals cannot be made until two months after the pandemic is over.
Governor Murphy has also stated in [Executive Order 128](https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-128.pdf) that tenants may ask their landlords to use their security deposit to cover their rent
In addition, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Financing Authority has suspended all rent increases for eligible properties in their portfolio.
For more information on eviction protection, click [**HERE**](https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/assistance-and-benefits/what-if-i-cant-pay-my-rent-can-i-still-get-evicted-is-there-any-rental-relief).
If you are at risk for eviction, click [**HERE**](https://covid19.nj.gov/forms/renter) if see what assistance programs may be available to you.