About the Annual Recertification Process
Tips for completing your annual recertification:
• Your
packet will arrive about 3-4 months before your annual recertification
date. Plan for this and have your paperwork organized.
•
Turn in your
completed packet by the due date. Your assistance may be
terminated if you
don’t.
• If we request original documents, make copies for yourself.
• If you fax a document, send it by mail as well. Some faxes can be hard toread.
Why does the Housing Authority conduct annual
recertifications?
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires us to review the income, assets, and family composition of each family we assist once a year.
You are required to provide all the information we need to recertify your family annually. Most families receive several thousand dollars’ worth of assistance each year; in return, we ask that you comply with program rules and provide this information annually.
From time to time, the Housing Authority may change the date of your annual recertification. However, a full annual recertification will be conducted once every year.What if I provided all the information last year and there have been no changes?
Even if nothing about your situation has changed, you are still required to provide all the information we request.
What if I recently reported some changes to my income? Do I still need to complete the annual recertification?
Yes. Even if we have recently conducted an “interim” income recertification based on changes you reported to us, we must still complete the full annual recertification for everyone in your family.Can’t you get information about my income from other sources?
We will verify your income directly with your employer or other agencies, but first it is your responsibility to report all information directly to us.
How do I know if you received what I sent you?
We will send you a letter if we are missing any documents. Please don’t call immediately after sending documents to us to ask if we received them, as this will only slow down the document review process.
What if I am expecting a change to my income, assets, or family composition?
Please tell us, in writing, as much as possible about any changes that may take place during your annual recertification. For more information, see our Reporting Changes Q&A.
What if I am planning on moving?
If you are planning to move during your annual recertification process, it is important that you let us know your plans as soon as possible. See our Transfer Q&A for more information about moving to another unit.Will there be changes to my rent as a result of the annual recertification?
There could be changes to the rent you pay if:
Your income or assets have changed.
• Your landlord has requested a rent increase.
•
Someone has moved in or
out of your household, which affects the number
of bedrooms you are eligible
for.
•
The payment
standard or utility allowances that the Housing Authority
uses to calculate
your subsidy has changed.
You will be notified by mail of any rent change.
Most Housing Authority programs are designed so that families pay about a third of their income in rent. The federal government considers this to be an affordable amount for any family to pay for housing.What if I am not able to gather all the information by the deadline?
The Housing Authority’s deadline for submittal of annual recertification documents is firm. Failure to comply with deadlines could result in termination of your assistance.
We encourage you to plan ahead and keep income and asset information for everyone in your family on file to make it easier to submit the packet by the deadline. If there is a crisis that causes a delay, contact us immediately.
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Cruz, CA 95060-5709 • (831)454-9455 • TDD: (831)469-0122
Fax: (831)469-3712 • Hollister: (831)637-0487 • E-mail:
info@hacosantacruz.org
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