4 - UPDATE_TO_HCV_ADMIN_PLAN_202012-01

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determining whether the student meets the U.S. Department of Education's definition of independent student (see Section 3-II.E). Reviewing prior year income tax returns to verify whether a parent has claimed the student as a dependent. Requesting and obtaining written certification directly from the student's parents identifying the amount of support they will be providing to the student, even if the amount of support is $0. 7-II.F. DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY SAHA must verify the existence of a disability in order to allow certain income disallowances and deductions from income. SAHA is not permitted to inquire about the nature or extent of a person's disability [24 CFR 100.202(c)]. SAHA may not inquire about a person's diagnosis or details of treatment for a disability or medical condition. If SAHA receives a verification document that provides such information, SAHA will not place this information in the tenant file. Under no circumstances will SAHA request a participant's medical record(s). For more information on health care privacy laws, see the Department of Health and Human Services' website at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/. The above cited regulation does not prohibit the following inquiries, provided these inquiries are made of all applicants, whether or not they are persons with disabilities [VG, p. 24]: • Inquiry into an applicant's ability to meet the requirements of ownership or tenancy • Inquiry to determine whether an applicant is qualified for a dwelling available only to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability • Inquiry to determine whether an applicant for a dwelling is qualified for a priority available to persons with disabilities or to persons with a particular type of disability • Inquiring whether an applicant for a dwelling is a current illegal abuser or addict of a controlled substance • Inquiring whether an applicant has been convicted of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance Family Members Receiving SSA Disability Benefits Verification of the receipt of disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is sufficient verification of disability for the purpose of qualifying for waiting list preferences (if applicable) or certain income disallowances and deductions [VG, p. 23]. SAHA Policy For family members claiming disability who receive disability benefits from the SSA, SAHA will attempt to obtain information about disability benefits through the HUD Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system when it is available. If documentation from HUD's EIV System is not available, SAHA will request a current (dated within the last 60 days) SSA benefit verification letter from each family member claiming disability status. If the family is unable to provide the document(s), SAHA will ask the family to 4-17