APPLYING FOR HUD HOUSING ASSISTANCE?
Think About This…Is Fraud Worth it?
Do You
Realize…
If you commit fraud to obtain assisted housing from HUD, you
could 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 five years.
·
Prohibited from receiving future assistance.
·
Subject to State and local government penalties.
Do You Know…
You are committing fraud if you sign a form knowing that you
provided false or misleading information.
The information you provide on housing assistance
application and re-certification forms will be checked. The local housing
agency, HUD, or the office of Inspector General
Will check the income and assets information you provide
with other Federal, State or local governments and with private agencies.
Certifying false information is fraud.
So Be
Careful!
When you fill out your application and yearly
recertification for assisted housing from HUD make sure answers to the
questions are accurate and honest. You must include:
·
All sources of income and changes in income you
or any members of your household receive,
Such as wages, welfare payments, social
security and veteran’s benefits, pensions, retirement, etc.
·
Any money you receive on behalf of your children
, such as child support , AFDC payments,
Social security for children, etc.
·
Any increase in income, such as wages from a new
job or an expected pay raise or bonus.
·
All assets, such as back accounts , saving
bonds, certificates of deposit, stocks real estate , etc., that are owned by
you or any member of your household.
·
All income from assets, such as interest from
savings and checking accounts, stock dividends, etc.
·
Any business or asset (your home) that you sold
in the last two years at less than full value.
·
The names of everyone, adults or children,
relatives and non-relatives, who are living with you and make up your
household.
Important Notice for
Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita evacuees: HUD reporting requirements
may be temporarily waived or suspended because
of your
circumstances. Contact the local housing agency before you complete the housing
assistance application.
Ask
Questions
If you don’t understand something on the application or
recertification forms, always ask questions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Watch
Out for Housing Assistance Scams!
·
Don’t pay money to have someone fill out housing
assistance application and recertification forms for you.
·
Don’t pay money to move up on a waiting list.
·
Don’t pay for anything that is 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 (maintenance or utility charges).
Report
Fraud
If you know of anyone who provided false information on a
HUD housing assistance
application or re-certification or if anyone tells you to
provide false information, report that
person to the HUD Office of Inspector general Hotline, You
can call the Hotline toll-free
Monday through
Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m., Eastern Time, at 1-800-347-3735.
You can fax information to (202) 708-4829 or e-mail it to Hotline@hudoig.gov. You can write the Hotline
at:
HUD OIG Hotline,
GFI
451 7th
Street SW
Washington, DC
20410
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