Section 29-7601. APPLICATION PROCESS

 

7601.1Each application shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the Department and signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury. If the applicant is married and living with a spouse, both spouses shall sign the application as an applicant unit (hereinafter “applicant”).  

 

7601.2An authorized representative may apply on behalf of the applicant, if the applicant provides a written and signed statement stating why the applicant cannot apply in person and the name and address of the person authorized to act on the applicant’s behalf.

 

7601.3If requested by an applicant with a disability, or the authorized representative of an applicant with a disability, the Provider shall assist such applicant or authorized representative with any aspect of the application process necessary to ensure that the applicant with a disability has an equal opportunity to submit an application. 

 

7601.4  The Department shall provide application forms and the Provider shall accept applications from each applicant who requests assistance.

 

 7601.5  At the time of application, each applicant shall be provided with a clear, concise, written notice containing the applicant’s rights and responsibilities and the Provider’s responsibilities with respect to the Program.  The Provider shall request that all applicants sign a document acknowledging receipt of this notice.

 

7601.6As part of the application process, all applicants shall sign a release form authorizing the Provider to obtain or verify information necessary to process the application.

 

7601.7In order to receive HPRP assistance, a household shall participate in an initial consultation with either the HPRP outreach team or the HPRP Provider to determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their housing needs and shall receive an eligibility determination from an HPRP Provider.

 

7601.8Each applicant shall cooperate fully in establishing his or her eligibility, including the basis of the applicant’s homelessness or risk of homelessness, and the extent of the need.  This shall include, but not be limited to, providing documentation or collateral proof of:

 

(a)Household composition;

 

(b)Employment status and employment history;

 

(c)Income and assets;

 

(d)Household expenses;

 

(e)Facts and circumstances surrounding homelessness or risk of homelessness;

 

(f)Financial and other assets available or obtainable in the short-term to support housing stability; and

 

(g)Facts and circumstances surrounding financial and other barriers to housing stability.

 

7601.9The Provider shall give to each applicant a written request specifying the information needed to complete the application and the Provider shall discuss with the applicant how to obtain the information.  The application is complete when all required information is furnished.

 

7601.10The Provider may use documents, telephone conversations, personal and collateral interviews, reports, correspondence, and conferences to verify applicant information.

 

7601.11The Provider shall complete the eligibility and assistance determination in as short a time as possible but not later than ten (10) calendar days after the date of a completed application. The Provider shall not be responsible for delays caused by:

 

(a)The applicant’s failure to supply information to document facts stated in the completed application without which eligibility or benefits cannot be determined;

 

(b)The inability to contact the applicant;

 

(c)Evidence of misrepresentation in the application;

 

(d)Delay by a third party from whom the Provider has requested information and over whom the Provider has no control; or

 

(e)Any other delay in receipt of information or documentation necessary to complete the application over which the Provider has no control.

 

7601.12If an applicant is expected to lose their housing in less than ten (10) calendar days following the date of application, the Provider shall take all reasonable steps to process the application in an expedited manner in time to prevent the loss of housing if the applicant meets all eligibility criteria and a delay in processing the application is not caused by the failure of the applicant to provide documentation necessary for making an eligibility or assistance determination.

 

7601.13The Provider shall create and maintain in the applicant’s or participant’s file a clear and detailed documentation of the Program’s eligibility determination of each applicant, particularly as it relates to the household’s eligibility for homelessness prevention assistance in accordance with subsection 7603.1(b), and the household’s demonstration that it has no other housing options identified and that the household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing in accordance with subsection 7603.1(f).

 

7601.14If an applicant is determined eligible for HPRP assistance, the Provider shall give to the applicant a Notice of Eligibility and Assistance Determination and include in this notice: 

 

(a)A clear statement of the eligibility determination;

 

(b)A clear and detailed statement of the assistance for which the applicant has been determined eligible, the amount of the assistance, if applicable, and the computation of assistance, if applicable;

 

(c)A clear statement of the HPRP requirement that all HPRP participants shall be re-evaluated and eligibility re-determined at least once every three (3) months for any HPRP rental assistance or case management lasting longer than three (3) months.

 

(d)Any information required from the recipient to authorize the Provider to proceed with the disbursement of the HPRP assistance to the appropriate vendor(s); and

 

(e)A clear and complete statement of the client's right to appeal the eligibility or assistance determination through fair hearing and administrative review proceedings in accordance with section 7611, including the appropriate deadlines for instituting the appeal.

7601.15If an applicant is determined eligible and given a Notice of Eligibility and Assistance Determination, but the specific computation of assistance cannot be completed until a later date, the provider shall reissue the Notice of Eligibility and Assistance Determination with the updated computation worksheet and a confirmation of assistance when all information necessary to complete it has been received.

 

7601.16If an applicant is determined ineligible for HPRP assistance, the Provider shall give to the applicant a Notice of Eligibility and Assistance Determination and include in this notice:

 

(a) A clear statement of the denial of eligibility;

 

(b) A clear statement of the factual basis for the denial;

 

(c) A reference to the statute, regulation, or policy pursuant to which denial was made; and

 

(d) A clear and complete statement of the client's right to appeal the denial through fair hearing and administrative review proceedings pursuant to section 7611, including the appropriate deadlines for instituting the appeal.

 

7601.17An application shall be considered abandoned if the applicant has not obtained and provided to the Provider the required information for eligibility and assistance determination within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of application.

 

authority

The Director of the Department of Human Services (Department), pursuant to the authority set forth in sections 7, 28, 30 and 31 of the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 (HSRA), effective October 22, 2005 ( D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code §§ 4-753.01, 4-755.01, 4-756.01 and 4-756.02 (2006 Supp.)), Mayor’s Order 2006-20, dated February 13, 2006, and Mayor’s Order 2007-80, dated April 2, 2007.

source

Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 2116 (March 12, 2010)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 5973 (July 9, 2010)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 1566, 1567 (February 25, 2011).