4571.3 and HOPE II Notice of Program
HUD Fact Sheet
Verification of Information Provided by
Applicants and Tenants of Assisted Housing
What Verification Involves
To receive housing assistance, applicants and tenants who are 18 years of Age and each family head, spouse, or co-head regardless of age must Provide the owner or management agent (O/A) or public housing agency (PHA) with certain information specified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
To make sure that the assistance is used properly, Federal laws require that the information you provide be verified. This information is verified in two ways:
1. HUD, 0/ As, and PHAs may verify the information you provide by hecking with the records kept by certain public agencies ( e.g. Social Security Administration (SSA), State agency that keeps wage and Unemployment compensation claim information, and the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) database that stores wage, new hires, and unemployment Compensation). HUD (only) may verify information covered in your tax returns from the U.,S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You give your consent to the release of this information by signing form HUD-9887.
this form.
2. The O/A must verify the information that is used to determine your eligibility and the amount ofrent you pay. You give your consent to the release of this information by signing the form HUD-9887-A, tge fim GYD-9887-A, and the individual verification and consent forms that apply to you. Federal laws limit the kinds of information the 0/ A can receive about you. The amount of income you receive helps to determine the amount of rent you will pay. The 0/ A will verify all of the sources of income that you report. There are certain allowances that reduce the income used in determining tenant rents. Example: income used in determining tenant rents. Mrs. Anderson is 62 years old. Her age qualifies her for a medical allowance. Her annual income will be adjusted because of this allowance. Because Mrs. Anderson's medical expenses will help determine the amount of rent she pays, the owner is required to verify any medical expenses that she reports. Example: Mr. Harris does not qualify for the medical allowance because he is not at least 62 years of age and he is not handicapped or disabled. Because.he is not eligible for the medical allowance, the amount of his medical expenses does not change the amount of rent he pays. Therefore, the owner cannot ask Mr. Harris anything about his medical expenses and cannot verify with a third party about any medical expenses he has.
Customer Protections
Information received by HUD is protected by the Federal Privacy Act. Information received by the O/A or the PHA is subject to
State privacy laws. Employees of HUD, the O/A, the PHA
are subject to penalties for using these consent forms improperly.
You do not have to sign the form HUD-9887-A or the individual verification consent forms when they are given to you at your certification or recertification interview. You may take them home with you to read or to discuss with a third party of your choice. The 01 A will give you another date when you can return to sign these forms.
If you cannot read and/or sign a consent form due to a disability, the 0/ A shall make a reasonable accommodation in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Such accommodations may include: home visits when the applicant's or tenant's disability prevents him/her from coming to the office to complete the forms; the applicant or tenant authorizing another person to sign on his/her behalf; and for persons with visual impainnents, accommo-
If an adult member of your household, due to extenuating circumstances, is unable to sign the form HUD-9887 or the individual verification forms on time, the 0/ A may document the file as to the reason for the delay and the specific plans to obtain the proper signature as soon as possible.
The 0/A must tell you, or a third party which you choose, of the findings made as a result of the O/A verifications authorized by your consent. The 0/ A must give you the opportunity to contest such findings in accordance with HUD Handbook 4350.3 Rev. 1. However, for infonnation received under the fonn HUD-9887, or
form HUD-9887-A, HUD, the O/A or the PHA, may inform you of these findings.
0/ As must keep tenant files in location that ensures confidentiality. Any employee of the 0/ A who fails to keep tenant information confidential is subject to the enforcement provisions of actions the State Privacy Act and is subject to enforcement actions by HUD. Also, any applicant or tenant affected by negligent disclosure or improper use of information may bring civil action for damages, and seek other relief as may be appropriate, against the employee.
HUD 9887-A requires the 0/A to give each household a copy of the Fact Sheet, and fonns HUD-9887, HUD-9887-A along with appropriate individual consent fonns. The package you will receive will include the following documents:
- HUD 9887/A Fact Sheet: Describes the requirement to verify infonnation provided by individuals who apply for housing·assistance.
This fact sheet also describes consumer protections under the verification process.
- Form HUD-9887: Allows the release of information between government agencies.
- Form HUD-9887-A: Describes the requirement of third party verification along with consumer protections
- Individual verification consents: Used to verify the relevant infonnation provided by applicants/tenants to detennine their eligibility and level of benefits.
Consequences for Not Signing the Consent Forms
If you fail to sign the form HUD-9887,the form HUD-9887-A, or the individual verification forms, this may result in your assistance being denied (for applicants) or your assistance being terminated
(for tenants). See further explanation on the forms HUD-9887 and 9887-A.
If you are an applicant and are denied assistance for this reason, the Owner must notify you of the reason for your rejection and give you an opportunity to appeal the decision.
If you are a tenant and your assistance is terminated for this reason, the O/A must follow the procedures set out in the Lease. This includes the opportunity for you to meet with the O/A.
Programs Covered by this Fact Sheet
Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
Rent Supplement
Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Programs ( administered by the Office of Housing)
Section 202
Sections 202 and 811 PRAC
Section 202/162 PAC
Section 221(d)(3) Below Market Interest Rate Section 236