Public Housing Lump Sum

Summary

In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, which may affect your rent calculation. If you receive a lump sum from an SSI claim, it could impact your rent. The Westfield Housing Authority has asked for $6,000 based on a lump sum payment of $22,000. Its advisable to seek legal advice to understand your rights and obligations. Contact the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation for guidance.

Full Conversation

I live in public housing and I'm wondering does public housing have the right to take money from you if you get a lump sum from your SSI claim
What state do you live in, ****? The rules regarding public housing and income can vary by state.
Massachusetts
What is the exact amount of the lump sum you received from your SSI claim, ****?

In Massachusetts, public housing authorities may consider lump sum SSI payments as income.
*,* and housing wants *,*
What is the reason given by the housing authority for demanding $*,*?

In Massachusetts, lump sum SSI payments can be considered income, affecting your rent calculation.
They tried to tell me that they're going back from when I moved into housing back in * and I only got *,* and some change back that was for me and then I have to tell the landlord which is the housing and they calculated everything out and said that I have to pay them in payments but it's up to six grand that I would owe them I didn't know if they have the right to do that
What was the basis of their calculation for the $*,*?

In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, which may affect your rent calculation.
Yes
Could you please provide more details on how the housing authority calculated the $*,*?
I'll be honest with you they're very hard people to deal with and every time you ask them something they always come up with an answer but they I don't know if they're going *% of what my rent is cuz that's what they go by is *% of your income and that's how they calculate your rent but I only had like *,* and some change coming back to me and I guess they went from that
Did you receive any written notice or documentation from the housing authority detailing their calculation method for the $*,*?
No
Did you appeal or dispute the housing authority's decision?
No but now I'm starting to wonder if I have to pay them that money they want like $* added to the rent on top of my rent I mean
Have you consulted with a legal advisor or attorney regarding this matter? In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, which may affect your rent calculation.
Okay I thank you very much for your time I will check into that right away thank you
Have you received any legal advice on this matter before?
No
What is the name of your public housing authority?
Westfield housing authority
What is the address of your public housing?
* Alice burk way Westfield ma
What is the current monthly rent you are paying to the Westfield Housing Authority?
Well my rent just went up as of this month because my boyfriend started a job and my son gets SSI because he's autistic he's * and now I'm disabled and they got my rent up to $*,*
What is the nature of your disability?
I can't work because my neck is deteriorating
Have you applied for disability benefits? If not, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Yes I've been fighting for my SSI and I had to get a SSI lawyer so I finally got SSI just a little ways back here probably about last year here I started getting my SSI
What was the outcome of your SSI claim? Did you receive any back payments?
I'm not sure what you mean about what was the outcome
By "outcome", I meant to ask if your SSI claim was approved and if you received any back payments as a result?
Yes it was approved I did get it and time I got done getting paperwork through SSI they told me that it was a bigger amount back then but time they calculated all out and do all the stuff that they do I ended up with only *,* and some change left for me
Did you inform the Westfield Housing Authority about your SSI lump sum payment immediately after you received it?
Yes I had to tell them because that's what you're supposed to do and then I gave them all the paperwork and they calculated everything out and said that now I owe them six grand and I could pay them $* extra on top of my rent and I'm just not sure if did this right or if I am obligated to pay them I'm wondering I never heard of such a thing
Did you receive any written documentation from the housing authority detailing their calculation of the $*,*? In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, affecting your rent calculation.
No
Did the Westfield Housing Authority provide you with a breakdown of how they calculated the $*,* they claim you owe them?
No and I was stupid not to ask and now I'm going to find out if I can get a breakdown from that
Did you sign any agreement or contract with the Westfield Housing Authority that mentions the calculation of rent based on income changes?
No I got a paper stating that I had to sign for an agreement that they wanted me to pay whatever I could a month so we said $* a month because it would take me forever to pay off $*,* but what I'm trying to figure out is how they have the right to say that they can take my money from when I started living here they went way back from * something doesn't seem right and I don't know if they're allowed to take this money
Did you receive any legal advice before signing the agreement? In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, affecting your rent calculation.
No
Have you considered seeking legal advice from a local legal aid organization or a lawyer specializing in housing law?
Yes now I'm going to have to look into it because with my rent going so high and then they want $* extra on top of my rent I just want to know if they have the right to do this to me that's the only thing that I'm trying to figure out if they can do this to me
What is the duration of your current lease agreement with the Westfield Housing Authority?

In Massachusetts, landlords can increase rent only at the end of a lease term, unless the lease specifies otherwise.
I'm not sure if I understand what you're saying I'm sorry
When does your current lease agreement with the Westfield Housing Authority end?
It's month to month
In Massachusetts, landlords can increase rent with a *-day notice for month-to-month leases. Did you receive such a notice?
Yes if my income is different in my house if it goes up or down I have to tell them so they will give me a paper and let me know when it's going to change you have to let them know like * to 10 days prior
Did you receive a written notice from the housing authority about the increase in rent due to the change in your income?
Yes I did for the back pay that they want me to pay them out of my SSI check from the lump sum money I got I'm just trying to figure out if they have the right to take that for me
Did the notice specify how they calculated the back pay amount? In Massachusetts, public housing authorities can consider lump sum SSI payments as income, affecting your rent calculation.
No
Have you considered contacting a local legal aid organization for assistance with this matter? They can provide guidance on your rights and options.
I am now because I don't think they have the right to take that from somebody
What is the name of the local legal aid organization you are considering to contact?
I ain't going to lie to you I don't know I'm trying to find somebody just to answer my question if they can do this to me but I don't know who I'm supposed to contact
Have you tried reaching out to the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation? They provide free legal aid to low-income residents. Their contact number is *-*-*.
No but I will be doing that this afternoon and thank you for that number I appreciate that
What is the name of the person at the housing authority who you have been dealing with? It's important to have a point of contact for your case.
Well there's a bunch of them it's just Westfield housing authority and whoever you speak with you speak with whoever
What is the name of the person you last spoke with at the Westfield Housing Authority?
Karen Casey
What was the nature of your conversation with Karen Casey regarding your situation?
When I told them a little ways back that I got my SSI I was approved for it Karen told me that I would have to pay them money if I get back payment retro payment that was owed to me and whatever I got for an amount they do something they calculate something out something about when I started living here back in * they would figure it out and they would tell me how much that I would have to pay them well it came out to six grand
Did Karen Casey provide you with any written documentation or notice regarding the calculation of the $*,* they claim you owe?
No
Did Karen Casey or anyone from the Westfield Housing Authority provide you with a written breakdown of how they calculated the $*,* they claim you owe?
No but I think I'm going to call them and tell them that I want one that I need something in writing showing me how they did this I don't recall getting anything from them I really don't recall
That's a good step. Have you considered seeking legal advice before contacting the housing authority?
No
Have you considered contacting the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation for legal advice before discussing this matter further with the housing authority?
But I'm going to now
No I didn't because this is driving me nuts because I really shouldn't have to pay them anything that money that owed to me from my SSI check that should be mine to spend anyway I want not to give to them but I will be finding some stuff out before I even talk to them again about this
I'm going to find someone to talk to legally about this just to make sure that they can do this I don't know if they're really allowed to take money from you like that but they told me that if I got back pay that I would have to pay something but I they didn't know what it was going to be because they had to calculate it all out
I will contact someone in Massachusetts legal assistance
What is the nature of your legal issue with the Westfield Housing Authority?
I'm just asking trying to find somebody I can talk to to ask them if I really have to pay this money that's all I want to know if it's true or not
What is the exact amount that the housing authority is asking you to pay?
*.* but I'm down to *,* and something because I had to keep paying on it every month I had to put an extra $* down so I'm down to around $*,* and something left
What is the current balance you owe to the Westfield Housing Authority?
*,*.*
What is the payment plan you have agreed upon with the Westfield Housing Authority for the remaining balance?
I have to pay $* extra on top of whatever my rent is so whatever my rent is a month I have to pay an extra $* on top of that
What is the duration of your agreement to pay an extra $* per month?
$* extra on the top of whatever I'm paying for rent until it's finished paid
Did you sign any agreement with the Westfield Housing Authority regarding this payment plan of an extra $* per month?
Yeah I had no choice but to sign it and I didn't want to but if I didn't I guess they could have probably taken me to court I guess but I just wanted to know if they are allowed to do this that's all I'm trying to find out I don't want to take anybody to court I don't want to do anything I just trying to find someone to talk to to ask someone in the legal profession if they know if they can do this
Did you receive any legal advice before signing the agreement?
No
Did you receive a copy of the agreement you signed with the Westfield Housing Authority regarding the payment plan?
Yes
Yes
What is the exact amount of your monthly income including your SSI, your boyfriend's income, and your son's SSI?
My son and I both get $* a month and my boyfriend brings home around * a week
What is the total monthly rent you are currently paying to the Westfield Housing Authority, including the additional $* for the lump sum payment?
As of this month my rent went up to $*,* and I would have to add an extra $* to that for the back pay of the SSI amount
*,*
What is the total monthly income of your household including your SSI, your boyfriend's income, and your son's SSI?
Roughly maybe $*,* a month I think
What is the total amount of your monthly expenses, excluding the rent?
maybe *
What are these monthly expenses related to?
Gas for the car I have to pay car insurance I have stuff that we have to buy for the house like laundry detergent toilet paper dish soap etc
What is the total amount you spend on these household expenses each month?
*
What is the total amount of your monthly expenses, including rent and the additional $* for the lump sum payment?
* maybe
What is the remaining amount of your SSI lump sum after the housing authority's deduction?
*,*
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting your monthly expenses?
Not sure
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting your monthly expenses?
?
What is your total monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
*
What is the total amount of your monthly expenses, including rent, the additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
* t
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
*
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
$*
What is the total amount of your monthly income before any deductions?
*
What is the total amount of your monthly expenses, including rent, the additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
*
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
$*
*
$*
Having trouble sending my answers
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?
It's not going through thank you for your time
What is the total amount of your monthly income after deducting all your expenses including rent, additional $* for the lump sum payment, and other household expenses?