CAREFUL READING OF RHIIP NOTICE 241

It appears that a recent RHIIP notice (#241) has caused some consternation/confusion among housing professionals...including myself.

Many are taking this notice to mean that Social Security award letters should no longer be in the files, and I've gotten emails to this effect from owners/agents, contract administrators and PBCA's. Indeed, this was also my impression.

But as I reflected on this, it didn't make sense to me. Many people are getting benefits under the SSN of a deceased spouse, so an exclusive focus on EIV was going to potentially miss this. Moreover, award letters have information about Medicare D...which EIV does not have.

So, I went back and read the RHIIP notice again and, paying careful attention to the wording, found it says something quite different. What it says is that residents cannot be directed to go to the local Social Security Administration office to obtain verification of income (benefits). Instead, they can do this "online or by telephone" and the current benefits statement will be sent to them.

Of course, residents may still choose to go to a Social Security office, and that is their right. Housing professionals cannot mandate, require or direct them to do that, however when there is a less potentially onerous method to get the information.

That makes sense.