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<br />Page | 33 <br />• July: A second verification of the HEN Referral is completed before rent assistance begins to <br />confirm continued eligibility at move-in. <br />• Every July thereafter: Annual recertification is required, based on the move-in month, as <br />long as the household remains enrolled in the HEN rent assistance program. <br />This example timeline ensures eligibility is verified both at the start of rent assistance and annually <br />thereafter, aligned with the period when financial support is provided. <br />Outside of the annual recertification, providers should regularly check BVS to monitor the household’s <br />HEN Referral status. This helps programs effectively prepare households for transitioning off of HEN <br />rent assistance. <br />Note: Households who lose their HEN Referral due to receiving federal supplemental security income, <br />social security disability income, or social security retirement income may remain eligible for rent <br />assistance if they have an immediate housing need. See Section 5.8.1 for details. <br />5.7 Rent Subsidy Determination and Housing Stability Planning <br />HEN programs must provide ongoing housing stability planning and assessment through a progressive <br />engagement service model, as outlined in Section 7.5. As part of this model, programs must define in <br />their policies and procedures when income is reviewed during housing stability planning and <br />assessment with households. All household income should be considered in the review, but programs <br />are not required to implement an income limit to determine eligibility. <br /> <br />If any household member gains employment or experiences a change in income between <br />recertification periods, grantees should conduct an interim income review to ensure the level of rent <br />assistance remains appropriate. Programs must implement a Rent Subsidy Determination Policy, as <br />described in Section 8.4 which includes use of a Rent Subsidy Calculation Tool for all households. When <br />a HEN household member receives income, the rent subsidy determination is reassessed. TANF or <br />GA/ABD benefits must be excluded from household rent contributions. <br />5.8 HEN Referral Inactive at Recertification <br />HEN rent assistance cannot be provided If a household does not have an active HEN Referral at the <br />time of their 12-month recertification. <br /> <br />Exception: HEN rent assistance may continue only if the household lost their HEN Referral due to <br />receiving federal supplemental security income, social security disability income, or social security <br />retirement income and continues to have an immediate housing need. See Section 5.8.1. <br /> <br />See Section 5.7 for households who have an active HEN Referral and are receiving earned income <br />during a 12-month eligibility period. <br /> <br />For households who do not qualify for continued HEN assistance, providers should consider using other <br />CHG budget categories, such as Standard or Homelessness Prevention, to help support the household ’s <br />transition to stability. If other CHG budget categories are used to support a household ineligible for <br />HEN, the household may receive assistance through the alternative budget source as long as they meet <br />the associated eligibility criteria.