Effective: September 2009
Allowances are part of the annual income calculation and deducted from the total gross income. Do not allow deductions and/or allowances unless the household is eligible for the allowance at the time of the calculation or HAP Contract begin date. Example: If the contract begin-date is 6/1/03 and a family member does not turn 18 until 6/2/03, the member is still eligible for the dependent allowance. The allowance must be removed at the next action processed after the family member turns 18.
Anyone under the age of 18 (except the head of household) is a dependent until their 18th birthday. Each dependent household member is awarded a $480 dependent allowance. An Interim is processed to remove the dependent allowance and add applicable income immediately following their 18th birthday.
A dependent household member is any person:
Adopted Minor Children: Include adopted minor children (but not foster children) as dependents. Allow the dependent allowance for each adopted minor child in the household.
An unborn child does not receive the dependent allowance. An Interim Re-examination is processed after the child is born. The unborn child is considered when determining voucher eligibility (bedroom) size if the mother is a single person living alone. A MSHDA 16 is required to verify the pregnancy. Refer to Chapter III, Section I, Voucher Issuance for additional details.
Never include the head, co-head, or spouse as a dependent unless under the age of 18.
Never include a foster child, foster adult, or live-in aide as a dependent. Children of live-in aides are considered a live-in aide and do not qualify as a dependent. Do consider foster children/adults and live-in aides when determining the voucher eligibility size.
Dependent Full-time student : Verify the status of all dependent full-time high school and college students 18 years and older via the MSHDA 55. The verification must confirm full time (not part time) student status to qualify for the dependent allowance. If verification of full-time high school status is needed during the summer months, the allowance may be given until the status can be verified in the fall (tickler) when school opens. For home-schooled students, family certification is acceptable. For a full-time student, use a relationship code of “full-time student 18+” (student is not head/spouse/co-head) in Elite (also on HUD 50058).
A $400 per household (not per person) allowance is granted when the head, co-head, or spouse is elderly or disabled. The head, co-head or spouse must be age 62 or over, currently receive federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) payments, or have a valid Verification of Disability and/or Special Medical Needs (MSHDA 16), completed by a licensed health care provider (see below), to receive the allowance. Only one allowance is granted per family, even if both the head and spouse are disabled.
Receipt of monthly federal SSI or SSDI is sufficient verification of disability for the recipient in determining eligibility for the Disability Allowance, provided the recipient is under age 62. A MSHDA 16 is not required. Code the disabled family as “handicapped/disabled” in Elite if anyone is disabled and receiving SSI or SSDI. In addition to receipt of SSI/SSDI, acceptable verification of disability includes a HUD EIV Report that shows income information from SSI/SSDI and the disability box is checked as disabled. If the HUD EIV Report disabiity box is not checked disabled, the individual may be receiving SSA survivor's benefits and/or may not be disabled; and would not be eligible for the disability allowance.
A $480 per person dependent allowance is granted for every disabled adult member (other than the head, co-head, or spouse) who resides in the unit.
A person who is elderly (over 62) automatically receives the elderly allowance. Do not code as disabled in Elite unless they receive SSI or SSDI or have a valid MSHDA 16 on file.
If any adult members indicate they are disabled on the Household, Income, Asset, and Expense Declaration Form (MSHDA 1890), the disability must be verified.
Unacceptable verification of disability includes receipt of Social Security, RSDI or other SSA benefits other than SSI/SSDI; a letter or statement from a doctor that does not include the disability language/definition contained in the MSHDA 16; and family self-certification.
Disabilities, medical expenses, and other special needs are verified by having a Health Care Professional (HCP) complete a Verification of Disability and/or Special Medical Needs (MSHDA 16) for the participating family. Note: The Verification of Medical Expenses (MSHDA 100) is valid as a verification of disability if it is dated prior to July 2002.
A MSHDA 16 is required if a member does not receive SSI or SSDI. If the HCP completing the form indicates the disability is permanent, the form is retained in the permanent non-purge section of the file for the duration of the tenant’s participation on the program and no further verification is necessary.
If the HCP indicates the disability is not permanent, the tenant is granted the allowance for this contract period only. The disability must be re-verified annually.
If the MSHDA 16 form indicates the tenant is not disabled, the allowance cannot be granted.
Only the following licensed medical HCP’s may sign a MSHDA 16:
It is recommended, but not required, that a MSHDA 16 be obtained for elderly/disabled households. Similarly, if no adult is disabled, but a child under the age of 18 is listed as disabled and does not receive SSI, a MSHDA16 should be requested. The minor is granted the dependent allowance for being under 18 years of age. Refer to the Elite User Guide for correct coding.
If the HA is unable to obtain the requested MSHDA 16 for the tenant/family member, it should be noted on a MSHDA 78 that the attempt was made, and the tenant/family member did not provide the requested documents; therefore, the househould member was not eligible for the allowance due to information not being provided.
MSHDA Form # |
Name of Form |
| 16 | Verification of Disability and/or Special Medical Needs |
| 55 | School Verification |
| 77 | Supplemental Information |
| 100 | Verification of Medical Expenses |
| 488 | Household Living Expenses Questionnaire |
| 1890 | Household, Income, Asset, and Expense Declaration |