Announcements

4350.3 REV-1, Change 2 Required Updates

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Secure Systems URL Change

With the March 2, 2007, release of Secure Systems, we are implementing an upgraded program for security and have changed our URL for logging in.

• Internal Url: https://hudapps.hud.gov/ssmaster
• External Url: https://hudapps.hud.gov/HUD_Systems

New 2007 Income Limits

HUD has released the new FY2007 Income Limits effective March 20th, 2007.

For information on how to update income limits within one of RealPage's software applications open the document.

Deadline for Elimination of TASS Extended One Week

The Tenant Assessment Subsystem (TASS) used for income verification will be eliminated on September 29, 2006, instead of September 22, 2006. Once TASS is eliminated on September 29, the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System will be the only web-based system available to owners, management agents and service bureaus to verify social security and supplemental security income benefit information. It is anticipated that new hires, wage, and unemployment compensation data will be added into EIV for owners, management agents, contract administrators and service bureaus to use beginning in late 2006.

In order to use EIV, owners, agents, contract administrators and service bureaus must apply for EIV access rights by following the instructions found at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/eiv/eivhome.cfm and completing either a Coordinator Access Authorization Form or a User Access Authorization Form. Coordinator Access Authorization Forms must be submitted to HUD Headquarters by fax at 202-708-3104 for owners, agents or service bureaus or 202-619-8321 for contract administrators to the attention of Theresa Fields/Deatrie Perry or by email at Mf_Eiv@hud.gov. If you are a contract administrator submitting your form by email please be sure to address it to Theresa Fields and/or Deatrie Perry.

HUD’s goal is to provide EIV access rights by September 29 to all EIV Coordinator applicants who submit complete and acceptable Coordinator Access Authorization Forms by the dates above. Once EIV Coordinator applicants receive notification that they have EIV access rights, they may begin processing User Access Authorization Forms from their EIV User applicants.

WARNING: For security reasons, HUD will be removing access to EIV for anyone who assigned themselves the Coordinator or User role in EIV. If you assigned yourself EIV access as a Coordinator without submitting a Coordinator Access Authorization Form to HUD Headquarters or assigned staff as EIV Users without receiving a User Access Authorization Form from the staff needing User access rights, EIV access will be removed until such time as the proper application forms are submitted and processed. What will be available in EIV immediately after TASS is eliminated?

In transitioning from TASS to EIV, which currently provides SS and SSI benefit data, between September 29, 2006 (the date TASS is eliminated) and approximately October 22, 2006, SS and SSI benefit data will not be available for viewing in EIV due to the time it takes to match the data in the Tenant Rental Assistance Certification System with the data from the Social Security Administration. During this transition period, users will be able to see only tenant information by using the Head of Household link; the income discrepancy report and the ability to search by recertification date will not be available. During this period when SS and SSI benefit data may not be available for the purpose of conducting tenant re-certifications of family income, please use tenant-provided SS/SSI benefit letters dated within the last 120 days to satisfy income verification requirements.

NOTE: No SS Error Forms are to be faxed to the attention of Elking Traver/TASS staff after September 29, 2006.

Students with Disabilities Receiving Section 8 as of November 30, 2005, Exempt from Section 8 Restriction

Earlier this year, the New Student Eligibility Rule was put into effect. On July 27, 2006, President Bush signed into law an amendment to this rule that exempts college students with disabilities. This exemption applies to all disabled college students that were receiving assistance as of November 30, 2005.

Based on this information, you should evaluate the following three areas:

• Termination of assistance to existing disabled students: If you terminated any household assistance because of the new student rule, you may want to double check the file to make sure that the student is not disabled and, therefore, eligible. If the student is eligible, it is our understanding that assistance will be reinstated retroactively. Hence, since the new student rule for Section 8 housing was effective as of January 30, 2006, you would be reinstated for assistance back to that date.
• Notification to residents/applicants: Owners/agents were required to notify residents and applicants of the new student eligibility requirements. Since the rule has been modified, you may want to ensure that residents and applicants are aware of the modification.
• Update policies/documents: Resident selection plans and appropriate questionnaires and verification documents should be updated, as necessary, to include the new student criteria.

If you would like to review more information on student eligibility for Section 8 housing, please visit the Ross Business Development web site. You can also review the industry article on our web site entitled “Student Eligibility—Does the Student Really Qualify?”

Reporting Social Security Errors

During the June TRACS industry meeting, several Social Security errors that could not be corrected on site were identified. HUD and the industry worked together to formulate a plan to correct these errors within the system, including taking this issue directly to the Social Security Administration for correction. If you need to report an error, please fill out the Social Security Error Form (only one form per person). Do not include any errors other than the ones listed on the form. Verify the information you have on site and ensure that it is correct. After completing the form fax it to Elking Tarver at (202) 485-0275.

4350.3 REV-1 Summary of Frequently Asked Questions

HUD has released a summary of questions pertaining to Handbook 4350.3 Revision 1. The questions were submitted through the online Multifamily Housing Programs mailbox and complete responses were provided by HUD. This document is 40 pages and organized by topic. It clarifies issues on site and with the owners. View this document or go to the HUD web site at: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/mfhrhiip.cfm.