MHA is participating with the Department of HUD to improve the accuracy of reporting earned income and other special benefits received by Public Housing and Section 8 assisted families.
Why is EIV necessary?
MHA and HUD have been concerned about the accuracy of reporting housing benefits or income which could affect tenant rent calculations.
To assure better reporting accuracy, HUD has been given the authority by Congress to develop and operate a data match system that will report to local housing authorities all income by household members from Mississippi State Wage Information Collection Agencies (SWICA) and the Social Security Administration. This means that MHA will get reports on earned income, Social Security and Supplemental Security benefits received by all members in your household.
As an MHA Public Housing or Section 8 Resident, what must I do?
When the time comes for your recertification appointment to update your income and family composition, you must report earned income and benefits for all family members. You will be asked to sign “HUD form 9886” which is the Authorization for Release of Information and Privacy Act Notice. You are required by law to sign the “HUD 9886” if you want to maintain your eligibility for federally assisted housing benefits. By signing this form, you are giving HUD and MHA permission to verify your household’s income in order to ensure your eligibility for federally assisted housing benefits.
Your property manager will access available information about earned income and/or benefits that has been collected from (SWICA) and the Social Security Administration. You may be asked to provide additional information about your sources of income if there are discrepancies between the information that you have reported and the information obtained by HUD and MHA.
What may happen if there is conflicting information?
You will be given the opportunity to dispute or provide additional information to correct HUD’s records in the event of data errors. Your property manager is required to set a deadline for your immediate response. If MHA determines that there has been a deliberate attempt to commit fraud by hiding income, your family will be evicted from Public Housing or terminated from the Section 8 Program. Since committing fraud is a federal offense, you will be referred to law enforcement officials for criminal prosecution. Prior to any final action, your family may appeal MHA’s decision to the grievance hearing panel.
