What are assets and what do I have to report?

Assets include:

• Amounts in savings and checking accounts
• Stocks, bonds, savings certificates, money market funds and other investment accounts
• Equity in real property
• Cash value of trusts that may be withdrawn by the family
• IRA, Keogh, and retirement savings accounts
• Lump sum receipts such as inheritances, capital gains, lottery winnings, and insurance settlements
• Personal property held as investment i.e. gems, jewelry, coin collections, antique cars
• Cash value of life insurance policies
• Assets disposed of for less than fair market value during the two years before certification or recertification and should be reported at the time of certification or annual recertification or within 30 days of receipt of lump sum.

When must I report changes in income?

Changes in income must be reported in writing on a Report of Change in Income/Family Composition form within 30 days of the date the change occurs. Documentation to verify the change must be attached to the Report of Change in Income/Family Composition form. Required documentation could be:

• Income - recent check stub or letter from employer or name, address, and telephone number of employer
• Unemployment - recent printout from EDD or check stub
• Welfare - recent printout or current Notice of Action
• Social Security/Supplemental Social Security - letter from Social Security Administration
• Child/Spousal Support - copy of check or DA printout or letter or court documents or website printout

Do I need to report changes in my contact information?

Yes. Most of our contact with you will be by mail. Much of the correspondence will be time sensitive (meaning there will be an appointment date or a deadline to return paperwork) that could jeopardize your housing assistance if you do not meet the deadline. Therefore, it will be necessary to notify the Housing Authority when you have a change in how you receive your mail. It is also very important to notify the Housing Authority of any changes to your telephone number so we may get a message to you immediately if necessary.

Do I need to report the birth, adoption or change in custody of a child?

Yes. Within 10 business days you must notify the Housing Authority in writing of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child. You must:

• Complete the Adding Someone to Your Household form
• Provide birth certificate
• Provide Social Security Card
• Provide current school registration if the person you are adding is a student
• Declaration of Citizenship form must be completed and signed
• Provide adoption paperwork if adoption
• Provide court paperwork if change in custody of a child

Do I need permission to add an adult to my household?

Yes.

• You must add someone to the household if that person stays for more than 14 consecutive days or 30 cumulative days within a 12 month period.
• You must complete the Adding Someone to Your Household form and follow the steps listed on the checklist.
• You must have the Housing Authority’s approval before allowing someone to move into your Section 8 household.

What changes to my family composition do I need to report?

All changes must be reported in writing on a VHA/SCHA authorized form. You must notify the Housing Authority of any change in your household composition within 10 business days of the change. You must notify the Housing Authority if someone is no longer a part of your household. You must complete the Report of Change in Income/Family Composition form and provide necessary documentation to prove that person is no longer a part of you Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) household i.e. copy of lease where they have moved, copy of mail forwarding order stamped by the post office, and/or business mail (pay stubs, credit card bills) with the new address.

How do I add a person to my household?

To add someone to your household, you must:

• Provide the Housing Authority with a copy of your landlord’s written permission to add that person to your household
• Complete the Adding Someone to Your Household form
• Request Housing Authority approval to add any other family member as an occupant of your unit
• Provide birth certificate
• Provide Social Security Card and/or alien registration card
• Provide Driver’s License or state identification card if 18 or older
• Provide current documentation of all income sources for each person you are adding including children
• Provide bank statements or proof of other asset income for each person you are adding including children
• Provide current school registration if the person you are adding is a student
• Declaration of Citizenship form must be completed and signed for each person you are adding including children
• Return Authorization for the Release of Information/Privacy Act Notice signed by each adult you are adding
• Return Authorization for the Release of Information form signed by each adult you are adding
• Return “Add Someone” brochure signed by each adult you are adding to your household

You must have the Housing Authority’s approval before allowing someone to move into your Section 8 household.