The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Earned Income Disregard (EID) program stopped as of January 1, 2024, which means no new applications are being accepted. However, if you were in the program on or before January 1, 2024, you will be able to stay in it until you complete it. HUD EID was a work incentive that made it easier for individuals to return to work. It changed the rent calculation by disregarding 100% of earned income for the first 12 months of work and 50% of work income for the second 12 months of work.
However, it is not all bad news as HUD has another work incentives program called the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program. Under FSS, when rent increases due to work income, a portion of the rent increase goes into an escrow account and, in some cases, may be matched by the housing authority. The FSS program runs for 5 years and once successfully completed, the funds in the escrow account are released to the individual. The program is available to anyone living in public housing or with a Section 8 voucher including Project-Based vouchers and specialty vouchers.
To learn more about the FSS program, ask to speak with the FSS Coordinator at the housing authority or provider. Massachusetts state housing also has a version of the FSS program offered through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
The second program that is coming to an end is the federal Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP), which was put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide low-cost high-speed internet service to rural and low-income individuals, including individuals with disabilities. Applications for the program stopped in January 2024 and the program will end in May 2024.
For more information on the FSS Program:
- Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Fact Sheet
- S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
For more information on the ACP program:
