Customer Protections

Information received by HUD is protected by the Federal Privacy Act. Information received by the O/A or the PHA is subject to State privacy laws. Employees of HUD, the O/A, and the PHA are subject to penalties for using these consent forms improperly. You do not have to sign the form HUD-9887, the form HUD-9887-A, or the individual verification consent forms when they are given to you at your certification or recertification interview. You may take them home with you to read or to discuss with a third party of your choice. The O/A will give you another date when you can return to sign these forms.

If you cannot read and/or sign a consent form due to a disability, the O/A shall make a reasonable accommodation in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Such accommodations may include: home visits when the applicant's or tenant's disability prevents him/her from coming to the office to complete the forms; the applicant or tenant authorizing another person to sign on his/her behalf; and for persons with visual impairments, accommodations may include providing the forms in large script or braille or providing readers.

If an adult member of your household, due to extenuating circumstances, is unable to sign the form HUD-9887 or the individual verification forms on time, the O/A may document the file as to the reason for the delay and the specific plans to obtain the proper signature as soon as possible. The O/A must tell you, or a third party which you choose, of the findings made as a result of the O/A verifications authorized by your consent. The O/A must give you the opportunity to contest such findings in accordance with HUD Handbook 4350.3 Rev. 1. However, for information received under the form HUD-9887 or form HUD-9887-A, HUD, the O/A, or the PHA, may inform you of these findings.

O/As must keep tenant files in a location that ensures confidentiality. Any employee of the O/A who fails to keep tenant information confidential is subject to the enforcement provisions of the State Privacy Act and is subject to enforcement actions by HUD. Also, any applicant or tenant affected by negligent disclosure or improper use of information may bring civil action for damages, and seek other relief, as may be appropriate, against the employee.

HUD-9887/A requires the O/A to give each household a copy of the Fact Sheet, and forms HUD-9887, HUD-9887-A along with appropriate individual consent forms. The package you will receive will include following documents:

1. HUD-9887/A Fact Sheet : Describes the requirement to verify information provided by individuals who apply for housing assistance. This fact sheet also describes consumer protections under the verification process.

2. Form HUD-9887: Allows the release of information between government agencies.

3. Form HUD-9887-A: Describes the requirement of third party verification along with consumer protections.

4. Individual verification consents: Used to verify the relevant information provided by applicants/tenants to determine their eligibility and level of benefits.