HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.1
Annual reexaminations (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs must4 conduct an annual reexamination for all families. When completing a reexamination, PHAs must5
obtain and document in the tenant file third-party verification of the following components, or document in the
tenant file why third-party verification was not available. Table 1 shows the components that need to be
reviewed at annual reexamination.
Table 1: Components to be Reviewed and Updated at Annual Reexamination
Component Updates at Annual Reexamination
Release and consent Collect updated HUD-9886 signed by all adult household members6
Changes in income, assets, Obtain declaration of income, assets7, deductions, expenses and
deductions, expenses, and household characteristics.
household characteristics Review for changes.
Follow verification hierarchy8 to verify and calculate income,
assets, deductions, expenses, and household characteristics.
1
24 CFR § 982.516(a)(1)
2
24 CFR § 982.516(f)
3
24 CFR § 982.551(b)(2); 24 CFR § 5.230(a); 24 CFR § 982.552(b)(3)
4 24 CFR § 982.516(a)
5
24 CFR § 982.516(a)(2)
6
24 CFR § 982.516(g); 24 CFR § 5.230; 24 CFR § 982.552(b)(3)
7 For a family with net assets equal to or less than $5,000, a PHA may accept a family’s declaration that it has
net assets equal to or less than $5,000 without taking additional steps to verify the accuracy of the declaration.
A PHA must obtain third-party verification of all family assets every three years (24 CFR 982.516(3)(ii)).
8 See the Income Determination and Verifications Chapter (forthcoming) for further information.
Component Updates at Annual Reexamination
Changes in family composition Review and update the voucher size on the HUD-50058
If household size increases, the family may be overcrowded in
their current unit.
Utility allowance Verify that the utility allowance is correct based on lower of voucher
size or unit size and using the PHA’s current Utility Allowance
Schedule (see Calculating Rent and HAP Payments chapter and Utility
Allowances chapter).
Payment standard Verify that the payment standard is correct based on lower of
voucher size or unit size and using the PHA’s current Payment
Standard Schedule (see Payment Standards chapter).Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.1, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are required to conduct a full reexamination of every participating family's household circumstances at least once per year. This process involves collecting updated consent forms, verifying income, assets, deductions, expenses, and household composition through third-party documentation, and confirming that utility allowances and payment standards are correctly calculated. If third-party verification cannot be obtained, the PHA must document the reason in the tenant file. For families with net assets of $5,000 or less, a self-declaration may be accepted in most years, though full third-party asset verification is required at least every three years.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.1, compliant operators generally cooperate with PHAs during the annual reexamination process by providing timely access to relevant unit information, such as current utility arrangements and unit size details, that affect utility allowance and payment standard calculations. Because the PHA is responsible for verifying household data and updating the HUD-50058, property owners benefit from maintaining clear records of any changes to the unit that could affect voucher calculations. Staying responsive to PHA requests during reexamination helps ensure that Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) are calculated accurately and disbursed without interruption.
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 § 2.1 establishes that participating families have an annual opportunity to have their household income, assets, family composition, and expenses reviewed and updated by their PHA. Tenants are generally expected to provide updated consent forms (HUD-9886) signed by all adult household members and to report changes in income, assets, or family size so the PHA can apply the correct payment standard and utility allowance. If a family believes their reexamination was not conducted properly or that their household information was not accurately recorded, they may contact their local PHA, consult a tenant-rights organization, or explore the grievance procedures available through the PHA.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.