HCBS Rent Subsidy Program

Home and Community Based Services Rent Subsidy Program: 

Home and Community Based Services Rent Subsidy Program Carla Berg Pope Service Enriched Housing Director Iowa Finance Authority

Purpose of Program: 

Purpose of Program Provide a monthly rental assistance payment to eligible adults and children receiving services under Medicaid HCBS waiver until such time that the recipient becomes eligible for any other local, state or federal rent subsidy

Program Rules : 

Program Rules Chapter 441—53 Rent Subsidy Program

Eligibility Requirements: HCBS Recipient: 

Eligibility Requirements: HCBS Recipient Adult: Participant in 1 of 6 waivers Child: Person under 18 receiving residential-based supported community living services under Mental Retardation waiver (cannot live with parent or guardian)

Eligibility Requirements: Demonstrated Need: 

Eligibility Requirements: Demonstrated Need Responsible for paying more than 30% of income for rent

Eligibility Requirements: Demonstrated Need: 

Eligibility Requirements: Demonstrated Need Not receiving and are ineligible for other rental assistance “Ineligible” means the person is not eligible, has been placed on the waiting list, or the waiting list is closed Once a person is offered another rent subsidy, they are “eligible” and HCBS subsidy ends

HUD Section 8 Program: 

HUD Section 8 Program In consumer’s benefit to select an apartment initially that accepts Section 8 subsidy Eliminates the need to move once he/she becomes eligible for Section 8 voucher Reasonable accommodation: Can request extension in search time to find an apartment with needed accessibility features

Section 8 Ineligibility: 

Section 8 Ineligibility Examples: Family’s annual income exceeds income limit (income of entire household is counted) Non-eligible immigrant

Eligibility requirements: Risk of nursing facility placement: 

Eligibility requirements: Risk of nursing facility placement Have insufficient funds to pay their community housing costs and that insufficient funds will cause them to enter a nursing facility Access to this rent subsidy is required so that they may live in a community living arrangement

Eligibility Requirements: Responsible for Rent: 

Eligibility Requirements: Responsible for Rent Financially responsible for rent or housing costs

Submit Complete Application: 

Submit Complete Application Form 470-3302; original with signature Estimated monthly income including evidence form the income sources Evidence that applicant has applied for local rent subsidy and that the applicant is ineligible or placed on a waiting list

Types of application: 

Types of application Initial Change Renewal

Renewal Guidance: 

Renewal Guidance Rent Subsidy: Notice from PHA that you have been placed on a waiting list with the approximate wait time provided Call during annual renewal to determine if you (your family) remains on the waiting list. Note the answer, who you spoke to, date and time of call and attach to copy of wait list letter. If you find you have been dropped from wait list, reapply for rent subsidy

Date of Application: 

Date of Application When IFA receives all 3 items, the date of application is established

Notification of Eligibility: 

Notification of Eligibility Within 15 working days Notified of estimate of benefit amount only Funds availability: Determined on monthly payment calculation date If funds are obligated, application with be denied and applicant will be placed on a waiting list

Estimate of benefit: 

Estimate of benefit

Proportionate Share of Rental Unit : 

Proportionate Share of Rental Unit Equal to one bedroom of a multi-bedroom rental unit Exception can be made for qualified dependent relative, as defined by the State Supplemental Assistance (SSA) program

Qualified Dependent Relative: 

Qualified Dependent Relative May be the applicant’s spouse (who is not eligible for supplemental security income), parent or child Dependent relative must be both financially dependent on the applicant and living with the applicant

Example 1: 

Example 1 Actual rent: $700 110%  Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom rental unit in Polk County: 110%  $657 = $722.70 Income: 30%  $564 = $169.20 Proportionate Share: $700 ÷ 2 = $350 Subsidy estimate: $350  $169.20 = $180.08 actual rent ÷ bedrooms = proportionate rent  30% of monthly income = rent subsidy amount

Example 2: 

Example 2 Actual rent: $750 110% of Fair Market Rent for a 3-bedroom rental unit in Plymouth County: 110%  $637 = $700.70 Income: 30% of $725 = $217.50 Proportionate Share: $700.70 ÷ 3 = $233.57 Dependents: $233.57  2 = $467.14 Subsidy Estimate: $467.14  $217.50 = $249.64 (110 %  FMR) ÷ # of bedrooms = proportionate rent  (applicant  dependent) = adjusted rent  30% of monthly income = rent subsidy amount

Waiting List: 

Waiting List Order established by date of complete application (Form 470-3302, income verification, rent subsidy application verification) Ties: First: Day of birth (January 23) Second: Month of birth (January = 1) When name comes up, eligibility is redetermined

Reporting of Changes: 

Reporting of Changes Required to report to IFA within 10 working days any changes that may affect eligibility Redetermination of eligibility is made Use Form 470-3302; mark “Change of Information”

Reportable Changes: 

Reportable Changes Recipient’s name, Recipient’s address, Rent amount, Recipient’s representative payee and his/her address, Income, Number of dependent relatives living with recipient, Ineligible for Medicaid waiver, or Obtained eligibility for any other local, state or federal rent subsidy

Termination of subsidy: 

Termination of subsidy Person does not meet eligibility criteria Person dies Completion of required documentation is not received (including change of information) No further funding available

Insufficient Funding: 

Insufficient Funding If funds are not sufficient to cover payments for all persons on the subsidy, persons shall be terminated from the subsidy in inverse order to the date they began receiving payment Person moves back to waiting list (original application date determines position on list)

Fraudulent Practices: 

Fraudulent Practices Don’t do it. “Knowingly makes or causes to be made a false statement or representation or knowingly fails to report a change in circumstances affecting the person’s eligibility for financial assistance” Participant is ineligible for participation from that time forward

Appeals: 

Appeals Contact Department of Human Services

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302 Updated October 2004 Available at www.ifahome.com Complete form online, print out and mail to IFA

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Form 470-3302 : 

Form 470-3302

Electronic Funds Transfer: 

Electronic Funds Transfer As of January 1, 2005, you will receive your subsidy through electronic funds transfer to a checking or savings account Payment is more secure – there is no check to get lost More convenient – no trip to bank to deposit the check Saves administrative dollars – annually $10,500

Routing Number: 

Routing Number Must be nine (9) digits First two digits must be 01 through 12 OR 21 through 32 Checking: Listed on your check or deposit slip Savings: Contact your financial institution

Account Number: 

Account Number Can be up to 17 characters (can include both letters and numbers) Include hyphens but omit spaces and special symbols Enter the number from left to right DO NOT INCLUDE THE CHECK NUMBER!

Example: 

Example

Questions?: 

Questions? Carla.pope@ifa.state.ia.us Toll free 800-432-7230 515-242-4990