The Schuylkill County Commissioners Wednesday approved $9,297,225 it received from the Department of Human Services to help those affected by the pandemic pay their rent.

The money is from the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. County officials were notified of the award earlier this year have but recently been provided funds.

Schuylkill Community Action will administer the funds.

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,” according to information on the U.S. Treasury website.