Income
Does RAFT count income for full time students within a household over the age of 18? Please explain
No, income is not counted for full time students from the age for 18-25 years old.
Income for full time students over the age of 25 are counted in households income
Can RAFT pay for utility shut offs that are not in the head of households name?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
Yes, as long as the member resides in the home
Do you ask an individual household all the RAFT screen questions?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
Yes, no answers should be blank
If a family is terminated from EA shelter within the last twelve months and comes in for HCEC walk- ins or calls the resource line seeking security deposit assistance. Is this family eligible for RAFT?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
No because per DHCD Families who have been terminated from Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter or from HomeBASE in the last 12 months are ineligible for RAFT
What documents are needed to submit to accounting? Please list (4)
W9, Proof of ownership, direct deposit, voided check or bank letter
When calculating SSI income do you use the gross amount or the take home amount?
Gross amount before the deduction
Do we need a foreclosure letter to assist a household with RAFT?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
No, FY20 guidance allows any mortgage arrears documentation as a crisis
If the only missing document in the file is an LOC, can we deny this RAFT application?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
No, should be referred to fair housing or legal aid
Housing crisis doubled up, no legal status in household is the participant eligible for RAFT?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
Yes this family is eligible per FY20 guidelines no member needs a social, however if a member does have a social a copy of the card is required.
What needs to be identified on a property owner packet before submitting to accounting?
Please explain
Per accounting the following must be included prior to submitting to accounting:
W9
Staff name
Tenant name
Tenant address
Proof of ownership
Highlight owner name
Highlight tenant address
Please list all inclusive income that could be found on a TAFDC income verification print out. Please list all (5)
TAFDC, EAEDC, Child Support, SSP, TSS
Homeless individual residing in their car comes into walk ins looking for assistance with startup costs and furniture for new unit in Bedford. What housing crisis should be identified on RAFT screen? What is an acceptable documentation for the crisis?
Other Crisis: Living in car
Third Party or Advocate letter
What can RAFT pay for a family moving out of state? Please list the categories (4)
start up costs, movers, furniture, transportation
Single father who is doubled up applying for RAFT funds to help move into apartment where he is expected to be reunified with his seven year old child who is in DCF custody.
Would this file be considered as expanded population or traditional? What documentation is needed? Please explain
Traditional. All vital documents for child is needed along with current letter from DCF
When is it acceptable to submit W9 forms that are revised from November 2017?
After checking in HAPPY, the vendor is existing
Does RAFT count income for a live-in aide or PCA if that aid is related to the head of household?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
Yes because relatives can't document that their earned income as a PCA isn't contributing towards the households needs.
HOH seeking start up costs due to domestic violence and has a lifetime restraining order. Can this household receive RAFT?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
There is no current crisis as the restraining order is for a lifetime.
If a service provider is contacting Housing Supports staff inquiring about a RAFT participant, can we provide an update regarding status?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
No, need release of authorization
Is it true that you need a second invoice for Oil depending on the delivery date? Yes or No
Yes. The oil rate changes every day
What is the property owner documentation needed for homeowners? Please list (1)
Proof of ownership
Family of 3: two parent household with one small child. Below is a breakdown of this household’s monthly income. What is the families’ annual income?
TAFDC 350/month
Child Care pays 250/week
Wages 1500/bi weekly
Health Insurance pays100/week
Social Security 1400/month
Limit $53,350 for family of three. ANSWER : after deduction: $47,000 annual income
Calculation
1500*26-39,000
350*12- 4,200
1400*12-16,800
Total- $60,000
Deduct: 250*52-13000
HOH calls resource line, currently doubled up in New Hampshire and looking for startup costs to move to Malden. What is the housing crisis? How can RAFT assist?
Doubled up.
RAFT can’t assist as the household doesn’t live in MA. RAFT is a Massachusetts state funded program only.
Family received HomeBASE Assistance on September 2018 and is currently facing eviction and seeking RAFT assistance now September 2019. How would you determine if the family is eligible for RAFT? Please list (2) ways
Check HAPPY & make sure the family hasn’t exceeded $10,000 in the last 12 months
HOH (45), adult (21), adult (20), and youth (14), family has received a shut off notice for gas for the end of the month in the amount of $300. The family also has received a 14 day notice to quit in July 2019 for not paying their portion of rent for nine months. Checked in HAPPY and this household has received RAFT for arrears due to an eviction in January 2019 for $4000. Is the family eligible for assistance with rent arrears and utility?
If yes, please explain
If no, please explain
No, the family is not eligible for rent arrears and utility assistance as the family has exhausted the full benefit allotted per household within the last 12 months. The family will be able to apply for assistance for rent arrears with a current crisis in twenty four months which will be January 2021 (FY21). However, family is eligible for utility assistance with a current shut off in July 2020 (FY21) if not protected under winter moratorium.
What are the only acceptable proof of ownership documents for accounting? Please list (5).
Tax bill, water bill, deed, mortgage bill, insurance binder or assessor's website