Some of the people who are excused are:

--Tenants 62 years or older;                                              

--Tenants who are blind or disabled and show that they cannot do the requirement because of their disability;

--The caretaker of a blind or disabled person;

--Tenants who are excused from the work requirements of state welfare programs;

--Members of families that receive TANF if they are following the work requirement rules for TANF;

--Tenants doing "work activities."

There is a long list of "work activities," including:
--Having a job for a certain number of hours a week. The PHA can set the number of hours a week that counts;

--Going to school to help get a job, such as classes toward getting a GED;

--Being in a job search and job readiness assistance program;

--Vocational educational training;

--Good current attendance in high school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence.

These are just some of the things that count as "work activities," but it is not the whole list.
 

The PHA must review your community service every year, at least 30 days before the end of a 12 month lease term, to see if you have satisfied your requirement.  The PHA may require verification from the agency where you volunteer that you have done the hours of service.  You cannot be evicted in the middle of your lease term if you fail to do your community service hours.  However, if you don't follow these rules, your lease may not be renewed for another term.  Before deciding not to renew your lease because you haven’t done your community service, the PHA must notify you of the non-compliance and of your right to a grievance of that decision.  The PHA also must give you  a chance  to fix the problem. You can fix it by agreeing to make up the hours over the 12 month period of the new lease term (in addition to your usual 8 hours per month). However, if you still fail to do the hours or refuse to comply and you are not exempt from the community service requirement, the PHA eventually may not renew your lease. 

You should be able to ask for a grievance hearing within a certain period of time after the PHA’s decision. The grievance procedures should be available at your PHA for you to review.  You should review the procedures to be sure you don’t miss any deadlines or give up any rights you have.