Section 8 Annual Recertification in NYC: Complete Guide

Every year, Section 8 voucher holders in New York City must complete an annual recertification to continue receiving rental assistance. This process verifies your income, assets, household composition, and expenses to calculate your share of the rent for the coming year.

Missing your recertification deadline can result in termination of your Section 8 benefits, so understanding the process and staying on top of deadlines is essential.

What Is Annual Recertification?

Annual recertification is the yearly process where the Housing Authority (NYCHA, HPD, or HCR) reviews your household's financial situation to:

• Confirm you still qualify for Section 8 assistance
• Calculate your tenant share of rent for the next year
• Update your household composition records
• Verify you're meeting program requirements

Your tenant share is typically about 30% of your adjusted monthly income. If your income increased, your share goes up. If your income decreased, your share goes down. The recertification process ensures the split between your payment and the Housing Assistance Payment stays accurate.

When Is Recertification Due?

NYCHA: You'll receive notification to submit recertification documents approximately 150 days (5 months) before your annual recertification due date. Your specific due date is based on when you first entered the program.

HPD: You'll receive a recertification packet with your deadline. HPD requires you to complete the packet and return it with all documentation.

HCR: Contact the Subsidy Services Bureau for your specific recertification schedule.

Important: Don't wait for reminders. If you haven't received recertification paperwork within 150 days of your anniversary date, contact your Housing Authority proactively.

How to Complete Recertification

NYCHA Section 8

Online (recommended):

Log in to the NYCHA Self-Service Portal

Select "View Details" under My Section 8 Cases

Select "Annual Recertification" on the left side

Select "Start/Finish my Annual Recertification"

Complete all required forms

Upload supporting documentation

Submit

By phone/paper: If you don't have internet access, call NYCHA's Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 to request a paper recertification packet.

HPD Section 8

HPD sends a recertification packet by mail. Complete all forms and submit with documentation via:

• Online: DTR Document Upload Portal
• Email: DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov (encrypted)
• Fax: 212-863-5299
• Mail: NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development, Division of Tenant Resources

HCR Section 8

Contact HCR's Subsidy Services Bureau at 212-480-6672 or submit through the Section 8 MyHousing Portal.

Required Documents

You'll need documentation for every household member. Gather these before starting:

Income Documentation

Employment income:

Last 4-8 weeks of consecutive pay stubs (showing year-to-date earnings)

Letter from employer verifying wages, hours, and employment status

Self-employed: Last 2 years of signed tax returns (Form 1040) with Schedule C, E, or F, plus all 1099s

Benefits/unearned income:

Social Security: Current benefit verification letter from SSA

SSI/SSD: Award letter or benefit verification letter

Unemployment: Benefit statement from Department of Labor

Pension/retirement: Most recent statement

Child support: Court order and proof of payments received

Public assistance: Budget letter from HRA

Any other income sources: Verification letters

Asset Documentation

• Bank statements (last 3 months) for all checking, savings, and investment accounts
• Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, etc.)
• Life insurance policies with cash value
• Real estate ownership: Property tax bills, mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles (if applicable)

Expense Documentation (for deductions)

Medical expenses (if head of household or spouse is 62+ or disabled):

Insurance premium statements

Prescription receipts

Medical bills and proof of payment

Medicare/Medicaid documentation

Childcare expenses:

Provider's statement with name, address, tax ID

Receipts for childcare payments

Must be work-related childcare for children under 13

Disability expenses:

Receipts for disability-related costs not covered by insurance

Household Composition

• Birth certificates for all household members
• Social Security cards for all household members
• Photo ID for all adults
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Custody documentation (if applicable)
• Full-time student verification (for household members 18+)

Required Forms

NYCHA

• Affidavit of Income: Must be completed for every household member
• Third-Party Verification / Consent to Release Information: Required for all household members 18 years of age or older
• Debts Owed to PHA: HUD-required form for all adults

HPD

HPD's recertification package includes multiple numbered forms:

Form 1: Authorization for Release of Information

Form 2: Request to Add Household Member (if applicable)

Form 3: Request to Remove Household Member (if applicable)

Form 4: Verification of Wages

Form 5: Verification of Assets

Form 6: Declaration of Medical Expenses

Form 7: Declaration of Disability Expenses

Form 8: Verification of Student Status

Form 9: Verification of Childcare Expenses

Real Estate Declaration (if you own property)

What Happens After You Submit

• Review: The Housing Authority reviews your submission for completeness
• Verification: They may contact your employer, bank, or other sources to verify information
• Request for Additional Information: If documents are missing or unclear, you'll receive a request. Respond promptly.
• Calculation: Your new tenant share is calculated based on verified income
• Voucher Change Notice: Both you and your landlord receive a notice showing:
- Your new tenant share - The new HAP (Housing Authority) share - Effective date of changes

If Your Income Changed

Your tenant share is typically 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Changes work like this:

Income increased:

Your tenant share increases

HAP decreases

Total contract rent stays the same

Income decreased:

Your tenant share decreases

HAP increases

Total contract rent stays the same

Example: If your annual income went from $24,000 to $30,000:

Old tenant share: ~$600/month (30% of $2,000/month)

New tenant share: ~$750/month (30% of $2,500/month)

The Housing Authority pays the difference

Interim Recertifications

You don't have to wait for your annual recertification to report changes. You can request an interim recertification if:

• You lost your job or had hours reduced
• A household member moved in or out
• You had a baby
• A household member passed away
• Your income significantly changed
• You became disabled
• Other major life changes

Why this matters: If your income dropped, an interim recertification can lower your rent before the annual review. Don't wait 11 months paying more than you should.

NYCHA: Request interim recertification through the Self-Service Portal or call 718-707-7771

HPD: Email DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov or call 917-286-4300

What If You Miss the Deadline?

Missing your recertification deadline is serious. The consequences escalate:

• Request for Additional Information: You'll receive notices asking for missing documents
• Warning: Continued non-compliance triggers warning notices
• Termination Process: The Housing Authority can begin terminating your Section 8 assistance
• Termination Notice: You'll receive a formal notice of termination
• Loss of Benefits: Your HAP payments stop and you become responsible for full rent

If you receive a termination notice:

Don't ignore it

You have the right to an informal hearing to contest the termination

Contact a housing attorney or legal services organization immediately

Respond within the timeframe specified in the notice

Legal help:

NYC Tenant Helpline: Call 311 and ask for "Tenant Helpline"

Legal Aid Society: 212-577-3300

NYC Tenant Resource Portal

Tips for Smooth Recertification

Start early: Don't wait until the deadline. Begin gathering documents as soon as you receive notification.

Keep records organized: Maintain a folder (physical or digital) with copies of all income documents, IDs, and Housing Authority correspondence.

Document everything: Keep copies of what you submit and note the date you submitted.

Check your status: Use the Self-Service Portal (NYCHA) or contact your agency to confirm your recertification was received and is being processed.

Respond to requests quickly: If the Housing Authority asks for additional information, provide it as soon as possible. Delays can push your case toward termination.

Update contact information: Make sure the Housing Authority has your current phone number, email, and mailing address so you receive all notices.

Report changes throughout the year: Don't wait for annual recertification to report income changes. Request interim recertification when your circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can't find all my documents? Submit what you have and explain what's missing. The Housing Authority may be able to verify some information directly. Missing documents will delay processing but shouldn't automatically trigger termination if you're communicating.

Can my rent go up after recertification? Yes, if your income increased. Your tenant share is calculated as approximately 30% of your adjusted income.

What if I disagree with my new rent calculation? You can request an informal review or hearing to dispute the calculation. Contact your Housing Authority for the process.

Do I have to recertify if nothing changed? Yes. Annual recertification is required regardless of whether your circumstances changed.

What if I'm self-employed? You'll need to provide tax returns from the past 2 years, Schedule C/E/F, and all 1099s. The Housing Authority calculates income based on your average over this period.

What if a household member refuses to sign consent forms? All adult household members must sign consent forms. Refusal can result in termination of benefits for the entire household.

Contact Information

NYCHA Section 8:

Customer Contact Center: 718-707-7771 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)

Self-Service Portal: selfserve.nycha.info

Walk-in Centers: Locations

HPD Section 8:

Client Services: 917-286-4300

Email: DTRAI@hpd.nyc.gov

Office: 100 Gold Street, New York, NY (weekdays 9am-4pm)

HCR Section 8:

Subsidy Services Bureau: 212-480-6672

Address: 25 Beaver Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10004

Resources

• NYCHA Section 8 Reporting Changes
• NYCHA Recertification Documentation Checklist (PDF)
• HPD Section 8 Forms
• HPD Recertification Package (PDF)

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