Don’t risk your federally assisted housing benefit by providing false, incomplete, or inaccurate information on your application forms.
Purpose
This is to inform you that there is certain information you must provide when applying for assisted housing. There are penalties that apply if you knowingly omit information or give false information.
Penalties for Committing Fraud
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) places a high priority on preventing fraud. If your application or recertification forms contain false or incomplete information, you may be:
- Evicted from your apartment or house
- Required to repay all overpaid rental assistance you received
- Fined up to $10,000
- Imprisoned for up to 5 years
- Prohibited from receiving future assistance
Your state and local governments may have other laws and penalties as well.
Recertifications
You must provide updated information at least once a year. Some programs require that you report any changes in income or family/household composition immediately. Be sure to ask when you must recertify. You must report on recertification forms:
- All income changes, such as increases of pay and/or benefits, change or loss of job and/or benefits, etc., for all household members.
- Any move in or out of a household member.
- All assets that you or your household members own and any asset that was sold in the last 2 years for less than its full value.
Beware of Fraud
You should be aware of the following fraud schemes:
- Do not pay any money to file an application;
- Do not pay any money to move up on the waiting list;
- Do not pay for anything not covered by your lease;
- Get a receipt for any money you pay;
- Get a written explanation if you are required to pay for anything other than rent (such as maintenance charges).
Reporting Abuse
If you are aware of anyone who has falsified an application, or if anyone tries to persuade you to make false statements, report them to the manager of your complex or to GHA. If that is not possible, then call the local HUD office or the HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline at (800) 347-3735. You can also write to:
HUD-OIG HOTLINE, (GFI)
451 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, DC. 20410
