HUD has received requests for further clarification to RHIIP Listserv messages #229 and #231 on how to calculate Social Security income and/or Medicare when the amounts in the EIV system differ from the amounts represented on the SSA Award Letter.  Specifically, which document do you use when the Social Security Award Letter indicates a “cents” amount being received and the EIV Income Report does not.

Housing Notice 2010-10 states the Income Report identifying the Social Security benefit information in EIV must be used as third party verification of the tenant’s income and will be used to calculate the tenant’s income.  Additionally, the O/A must confirm with the tenant that the current benefit amount in EIV is correct.  If the tenant agrees that the Social Security benefit information reported in EIV is correct, the O/A must use the gross benefit amount reported in EIV for calculating the tenant’s income by annualizing the gross benefit amount projected forward for the next 12 months.  This requirement allows the O/A to use the amount represented in EIV (even if no cents are included) to calculate income.  Social Security Award Letters are not required to be viewed or included in the tenant’s file if the EIV Income Report is being used to verify and calculate benefits.