What is a hardship?
• A request to be exempted from one of AMHA’s MTW policies.
What should I do if I have a hardship?
• Go to AMHA’s website (www.akronhousing.org) under the Resources tab. Click on Income Change/Hardship Form. You must attach the required proof of your hardship or the request will be denied.
Hardship policies – not all may apply to your household.
• Tiered Rent Hardship
o Who: Households that were assigned to have their rent calculated by the tiered rent method.
o Reasons:
Decreased income
At least $2,500 in qualifying childcare expenses
Large family (6 or more dependents)
Newly full-time student (not head, co-head, or spouse)
Other circumstances (such as a significant increase in expenses like a large medical bill, death in the family, etc.)
o Required hardship proof: Complete the form and attach ALL current income for ALL household members.
• Elderly/Disabled Household Triennial Reexaminations Hardship
o Who: Households with an elderly or disabled head or co-head who have been assigned to income reviews every three years instead of annually.
o Reason: If the household has a hardship that cannot be handled with the income change/change of family status process.
o Required hardship proof: Complete the form and attach proof of the hardship.
• Standardized Medical Deduction Hardship
o Who: Households with a head or co-head that is elderly or disabled and have unreimbursed medical expenses of more than $500.
o Reason: Unreimbursed medical expenses are more than $500.
o Required hardship proof: Complete the form and attach proof of all paid medical expenses.
What happens after I submit a hardship?
• AMHA staff will review the hardship in a timely manner. If AMHA denies the hardship, you will be sent a letter explaining why the hardship was denied.
• If you disagree with the hardship decision, you may use the following grievance procedure:
o Request a grievance review within and including ten (10) business days of the decision to deny or limit the hardship request.
Where can I find more information?
• Go to AMHA’s website (www.akronhousing.org) under the Resources tab. Go to Annual Plan and review the full plan for your program (Public Housing ACOP or HCVP Admin Plan) and the MTW Supplement.