I have an MRVP voucher and need to report an Income Decrease

If you or a member of your household has a decrease in income, you can report it to Metro Housing|Boston in order to see if you are eligible for a rent share reduction. Please note, reporting an income loss is only the first step of the process as it is a requirement to submit documents verifying that loss in order for our agency to make a change to your tenant share. You must report any income increases within 15 days.

What to do first? Report the change to our agency.

To report any changes in your income, whether it be a loss of certain income or a decrease in overall income please fill out the form requesting an Interim (a change in your tenant share) by clicking this link: 

https://www.cognitoforms.com/metrohousingboston1/mrvpinterimrecertrequest

You will receive confirmation that it is filled out. A staff member will review it within 5 business days to confirm it is filled out correctly.

If you prefer, you can also mail documentation to:

Metro Housing Boston

1411 Tremont Street

Boston, MA 02120

Attn: Leased Housing

But please note, you will still be provided the online Cognito Forms link to complete required paperwork if we receive documentation by mail.

Within the online form, it will ask for you to include supporting documents such as the following:

• A letter from your employer regarding your termination or furlough.
• If you are still employed but are not working any hours, please obtain a letter from your employer to confirm you are not receiving funds through paid time off benefits, wages, or short term disability/worker’s compensation during the temporary closure or leave of absence.
• A letter stating the particular form of income, such as SSI Benefits, have stopped
• A letter or snapshot from Unemployment.
• If you are currently receiving any other forms of income, we will need updated verifications for every source of income you receive

See our resource page here for agency contact information (unemployment).

We will not be able to process the action until we have obtained all the requested documents.

If this was your only source of income, please also provide the following:

• Self-Certification of Zero Income: Individuals form signed by you.
• A recent benefit letter from the Department of Transitional Assistance stating whether or not you are receiving benefits.

If this was the only income in the entire household, please also provide the following:

• Self-Certification of Zero Income: Households form signed by each adult claiming zero income.
• Financial Hardship/Zero Income Worksheet.
• A recent benefit letter from the Department of Transitional Assistance.

Applicable Metro Housing Boston forms are located here and below in the attachment:  https://metrohousingboston.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/31922666595469-Metro-Housing-Boston-Forms

Can I take a picture of my income change?

Yes, documents can be attached in the link as PDFs, JPEGs or other image file formats. They must be an appropriate size, not blurry or cut off and must include identifiable information such as your full name and date on the documents.

If we receive documents that are blurry, damaged or does not have your information on it or the cognito form is not filled out correctly or at all, you should expect a document request in the mail or email. When submitting documents, please combine the documents and upload as one document/PDF.

But I don’t receive Unemployment or Benefits from the Department of Transitional Assistance, why do I need this?

For a job loss and have no other income, we are required to verify you are not receiving unemployment in which you may be eligible for. In the event of the loss being the only income for this member, we must also require verification from the Department of Transitional Assistance to confirm you are not receiving benefits you may be eligible for. Failure to provide these documents can result in processing delays.

What now? Allow Time for Processing

Allow 3-4 weeks for processing from the date the receipt of all required documents was confirmed. Please note, our staff must also confirm the reported information using third party identification which can take several weeks to come back to us.

When will the rent share change become effective?

The change in rent share is effective the first of the following month the income loss is reported and all required documents are received. If you report the change and fail to provide the required documents, we will not be able to adjust your rent share. Once that change in rent share is processed, you are required to report any new income received by the household within 15 business days of the start of the new income. If you are starting a new job and do not have the paystubs yet, please communicate this and submit the required documents once you have the required consecutive amount (4 if paid weekly, 2 if paid bi-weekly, and 2 if paid monthly). Please do not submit one pay stub at a time.

You are responsible for your current share until there is a change in your account. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I report changes in unemployment benefits?

• A letter or snapshot showing identifiable information from Unemployment showing the amount and frequency and whether or not it is active or inactive

How do I report changes in child support?

• If you are receiving child support through the court system: provide a snapshot or letter from the Department of Revenue showing that payments haven’t been received in 30 days or more.
• If you are receiving child support outside the court system: a notarized letter from the parent paying child support regarding the stop of payments.