HCV Interim Certifications

Non-MTW Policy 

At any time, PHA may conduct an interim reexamination of family income and composition. At any time, the family may request an interim determination of family income or composition because of any changes since the last determination. PHA will make the interim determination within a reasonable time after the family request.

MTW Policy

Tenants may request no more than one (1) voluntary interim recertification every six (6) months. The six month clock restarts on the effective date of each regular recertification. Required interim recertifications do not count toward the limit on interim recertifications.

Elderly/disabled are exempt from the limit on voluntary interim recertifications.

Notwithstanding the limit on interim recertifications, PHA will process a voluntary interim rent reduction if and when the reduction in income is expected to last for more than 30 days.

Households may request an interim recertification under the circumstances outlined below:

• They receive a decrease in income which may result in a rent decrease; or
• They have an increase in applicable allowances or deductions.

PHA will process a voluntary interim rent reduction if and when the reduction in income is expected to last for more than 30 days.

Examples of when a client must complete an interim recertification:

• Change in Household Composition
  Households must report all changes in household composition within 15 to 30 days of the occurrence.
• Temporary and Sporadic Income
  Households reporting only temporary or sporadic income are required to report increases in income between regular recertifications.
• Zero Income
  Households/household members are required to report monetary and/or non-monetary changes in income within 15 to 30 calendar days from the date the change occurred.

Increases in Rent

An increase in the client’s portion of the rent at the time will be effective on the first of the month following 30 days’ notice to the household.

If a household fails to report a required change within the required time frames, or fails to provide all required information within the required time frames, the increase will be applied retroactively to the date it would have been effective had the information been provided on a timely basis. The household will be responsible for any overpaid subsidy.

Decreases in Rent

A decrease in family share of the rent at the time of an interim recertification will be effective on the first day of the month following the month in which the change was reported and all required documentation was submitted.

You my request an Interim certification by submitting it via the HCV Client Portal or by completing an Interim Packet at PHA Headquarters in the HCV waiting room. Once your request is received please provide up to 30 days for the interim to be processed. If any further documentation is needed you will be contacted by HCV. 

Please find the attached guidelines for what documentation is required in order for HCV to process your Interim certification request. The documents must not be damaged, altered in any way, illegible. You may upload your documents electronically using the HCV Client Portal. Below are the required documents for your certification.

HCV Required documents for interim certifications

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If you have any questions about your interim certification you can contact HCV via the HCV Client Portal (Cust Portal Login (phila.gov) or by phone at 215-684-4300