EIV Alert

On July 1, 2010 HUD issued Housing Notice 2010-10 regarding the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system.  This notice provides updated requirements for use of the EIV system.

Take Action now to Ensure Compliance- review and utilize the following resources:

1. HUD Housing Notice 2010-10- in particular, Attachment 6 is a “Cliffs Notes” version of the Notice and is helpful in navigating the requirements of each EIV Report   
2. SHCC’s August 26, 2010 “EIV Update” Power Point presentation- this provides an overview of the updated EIV requirements, as well as common Errors/Findings made when utilizing each EIV Report
3. SHCC’s “EIV Policy Checklist”- this is the form SHCC utilizes when reviewing an EIV Policy during the MOR process
4. SHCC’s “EIV Master File & Utilization Checklist” and “EIV On-Site Checklist”- these are what SHCC utilizes to asses EIV compliance during the MOR process

The EIV system

HUD developed the EIV (Enterprise Income Verification) system as a tool to meet the objective of assuring that the "right benefits go to the right persons." The EIV system is a federal database that provides quick, easy access to resident income information. The intent of the EIV system is to streamline and simplify the income verification process at the time of recertification, by providing an independent source that systematically and uniformly maintains income information.

Deadline to implement EIV

On December 29, 2009 HUD published the Refinement of Income and Rent Determination Requirements in Public and Assisted Housing Programs Final Rule (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-30720.pdf). The Final Rule became effective January 31, 2010 and includes the mandatory use of the EIV system. 

When conducting an MOR, SHCC will follow HUD Housing Notices H 2010-10 and H 10-08. According to these Notices, a penalty will be imposed if:      

1. An Owner/Agent (O/A) did not complete all required steps to obtain access to the EIV system by the January 31, 2010 deadline:
   • Submit a hardcopy CAAF to the Multifamily Helpdesk by December 15, 2009
   • Submit the online EIV certification request by January 15, 2010
   • Document follow-up with the Multifamily Help Desk if access has not been obtained
   • Begin implementing use of EIV immediately upon receiving access 
2. An O/A is not using EIV in accordance with the current EIV Housing Notice
3. An O/A is not using EIV as outlined in the property's Tenant Selection Plan and EIV Policies and Procedures

Specifically, the O/A will be assessed a 5% penalty in the HAP voucher payment following the date the violation is reported as a Finding in the annual MOR.  The O/A will be notified of the EIV deficiency and 5% penalty via a Finding in the MOR Report.  The O/A will have 30 days to cure the Finding.  Once the Finding is cured, the O/A will recoup the 5% penalty funds on the next HAP voucher.  If the O/A fails to cure the Finding within the time allotted, both the owner and the management agent will be flagged in HUD’s Active Partners Performance System (APPS).  Once the Finding is cured, the flag will be removed.   Additional information on the penalty is detailed in HUD Notice 10-08. 

Helpful Links

Use of the EIV System (HUD Notice H 2010-10)
Implementation of the Final Rule (HUD Notice H 10-08)
EIV & You Brochure - Requirements for Distribution and Use (H 2010-02)
EIV & You Brochure
Rules of Behavior for Use of EIV (for Individuals without Access to the EIV System)
Email address for the EIV Helpdesk       

Accessing EIV

To obtain access to HUD's EIV system, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/rhiip/eiv/applyforeivaccess.pdf and follow the required steps for sign-up. Questions regarding accessing EIV can be submitted to HUD's Multifamily Help Desk at 1-800-767-7588 or mf_eiv@hud.gov.

Maintaining EIV Access Documentation

Upon obtaining EIV access, the following documents must be retained and made available to HUD/SHCC upon request:

• Written authorization from the owner to access EIV data for the property
• List of EIV Coordinator(s) and EIV User(s) who currently have access to the EIV system
• HUD approved EIV Coordinator Access Authorization Form(s) (CAAFs) for each EIV Coordinator assigned to the property (original and current)
• EIV Coordinator approved EIV User Access Authorization Form(s) (UAAFs) for each employee assigned access to EIV data for the property (original and current)
• Signed Rules of Behavior document for each person that does not have access to the EIV system, but will be reviewing EIV data for authorized purposes

EIV Policies/Procedures

The Owner/Agent is required to develop policies and procedures regarding the use of EIV data and securing EIV data. Click here to view SHCC's EIV Policy Checklist.

EIV Training Webcasts