HUD HCV Guidebook § 6
Exception Payment Standard as a Reasonable (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
Accommodation
On a case-by-case basis, PHAs are required to provide reasonable accommodation exception payment
standards for a person with a disability in accordance with 24 CFR part 8. PHAs may, without HUD notification
or approval, establish an exception payment standard of up to and including 120 percent of the applicable
FMR as a reasonable accommodation for a family that includes a person with a disability.86
Examples of circumstances that may qualify for an exception payment standard as a reasonable
accommodation include, but are not limited to:
• Special features such as ADA compliant bathrooms or larger doorways
• Access to ground level units or elevators for wheelchair users
• Units outfitted for hearing or visual impairments
• Proximity to medical or other services.
As mentioned earlier in this chapter, the annually published FMRs are effective October 1st of each year or no
earlier than 30 days after the date the notice is published in the Federal Register if HUD fails to publish FMRs
30 days before October 1st.87 When evaluating a reasonable accommodation exception payment standard
(RA EPS), PHAs are to use the current applicable FMR to determine if HUD approval is required, even when the
PHA’s updated payment standard schedule is not yet in effect.Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 6, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) must consider, on a case-by-case basis, whether a family that includes a person with a disability needs an exception payment standard as a reasonable accommodation. A PHA may independently set this exception payment standard at up to 120 percent of the applicable Fair Market Rent (FMR) without seeking HUD notification or approval. Qualifying circumstances can include accessibility features such as ADA-compliant bathrooms, ground-floor access for wheelchair users, units adapted for sensory impairments, or proximity to necessary medical services.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 6, housing providers participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program should be aware that PHAs may approve exception payment standards above the standard FMR for families that include a person with a disability. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the types of accessibility features — such as wider doorways, elevator access, or hearing/visual adaptations — that may support a reasonable accommodation request. Keeping documentation of a unit's accessibility features can help facilitate the PHA's case-by-case evaluation process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 6 establishes that families that include a person with a disability have the right to request a reasonable accommodation exception payment standard, which can allow the PHA to approve a higher payment standard of up to 120 percent of the applicable FMR. If a unit's rent exceeds the standard payment standard but the unit provides necessary accessibility features or proximity to medical services, a tenant may raise a reasonable accommodation request with their PHA as a potential path to approval. Tenant-rights organizations and disability advocacy groups can provide general information about how to document and present a reasonable accommodation request to a PHA under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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