HOUSING VOUCHER TENANTS WITH DISABILITIES

What You Should Know

How to Cut Your Rent

            The Big Picture:

            Your rent is based on your income minus deductions. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. A family with a disabled member can cut their rent because:

            ●they get special deductions from family income

            ● some income is exempt (it can’t be counted to set rent)

            Don’t be ripped off. Claim all deductions. Don’t let the housing authority count exempt income.

            These Deductions Cut Rent:

            Medical Bills: Your family’s rent can be cut if you pay for medical bills. Always ask the housing authority for rent deductions for all medical bills, including:

            ●doctor, dental & therapy visits, and travel to your appointment

            ●health insurance premiums 

            ●prescription drugs

            ●eye glasses

            Aides and Equipment: If anyone on your lease is disabled, you get a rent deduction for your bills for a personal care aide or for special equipment required for a family member or the disabled person to work.

            Disabled Adults: You get a $480 deduction for any disabled adult who lives with you.

            The Housing Authority Can’t Count this Income When it Sets Your Rent

            1. A disabled family member’s pay if he or she

            ● goes back to work after 1 year of unemployment, or

            ● was on TANF welfare in the 6 months before getting her job

For these disabled workers, pay cannot be counted as income for the first year of the job. For the second year, only half of the pay can be counted by the housing authority. If such income was counted, you should ask for a refund. You could get lots of money back.

            2. A live-in-aide’s income

            3. Income of disabled family member who gets SSI and signs up for the PASS program

            4. Government money your family gets for services and equipment to keep a developmentally disabled person in your home

Special Rights for Disabled Persons

            Disabled persons have special rights. Some examples are:

            Finding Your Apartment

            If you need special help in finding an apartment because of a disability, the housing authority must give you special help if you ask for it.

            If you need more time to find a house to rent with your voucher, the housing authority must give you more time. Do not wait until your voucher runs out. Ask the housing authority before the voucher runs out.

            Higher Utility Allowance or Rent: You may get a higher utility allowance or approved for a higher rent apartment if a disabled person on your lease needs a special apartment or uses utilities for medical needs.

            Live-in-Aides: You have the right to add a live-in-aide to your lease if you give the proper papers from your doctor to the housing authority.

            Apartment Size: If the housing authority wants to reduce the bedroom size of your voucher, you have the right to the larger apartment if needed for medical problems of a disabled family member. You have the right to a hearing before the housing authority changes your voucher size. Ask for a hearing in writing.

            Your Duties as a Tenant

            ●Is it hard to go to the housing authority office to update your records, pay your rent or do business? Ask the housing authority to make a home visit or do business by phone or mail.

            ●A housing authority office must have a ramp for persons in wheelchairs or scooters.

            ●If you are blind, deaf or have a hard time understanding things about your lease, the housing authority must give you special help.

            Evictions

            Are you being kicked out for a lease violation ? You may keep your voucher if you can show that a family member’s disability played a part in the lease violation. You can also ask the housing authority not to take away your voucher.

I Think My Rights Have Been Violated. What Can I Do?

            Get help from an agency or attorney who handles these cases.

            For discrimination complaints call:

            For other types of problems, call your local legal aid office.