HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.1.3
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs may rely on either public information related to a specific COLA or they must obtain third-party documentation of the applicable COLA. For example, for Social Security income, a PHA may rely on the publicly available COLA, rather than relying on third-party documentation. PHAs must properly document any fixed source of income, and the applicable COLA or interest adjustment for each specific fixed source of income 12 PIH Notice 2018-18 Administrative Guidance for Effective and Mandated Use of the Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) System 13 24 CFR § 982.516(b)(5) 14 24 CFR § 982.516(b)(2)
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.1.3, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are required to document fixed sources of income along with any applicable Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or interest adjustment tied to each specific income source. When a COLA is publicly available—such as the annual Social Security COLA published by the federal government—a PHA may use that public information directly, without needing separate third-party documentation. Where no public COLA figure exists, the PHA must obtain third-party documentation to verify the applicable adjustment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As a Housing Choice Voucher program participant, property owners work with PHAs that are responsible for income verification under § 2.1.3, but understanding this process helps operators anticipate how tenant income is calculated and adjusted. Compliant PHAs maintain records showing the fixed income source, the applicable COLA or interest adjustment, and whether that figure came from a public source or third-party documentation. Landlords who have questions about how a tenant's income was calculated during an annual reexamination can request clarification from the administering PHA, which is required to have this documentation on file.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.1.3, your PHA is required to account for COLAs when calculating your fixed income—such as Social Security benefits—during income reexaminations, using either publicly available COLA figures or third-party documentation. If you believe your income was not correctly adjusted for a COLA at your annual reexamination, you generally have the right to request an informal hearing through your PHA to review how your income was calculated. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's local field offices can be resources for understanding how this documentation requirement applies to your household's income sources.
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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