Shelter Payment Issuance to Clients

Director's Exception

Shelter payments may be issued directly to General Assistance (GA) clients who would otherwise qualify for the shelter payment portion of GA benefits but whose landlord is unwilling to cooperate in establishing or accepting vendor payments.  This Director’s Exception is granted for 12 months.  

Eligibility Requirements

A client may be eligible to receive their shelter payment directly if they meet shelter payment eligibility requirements and provide verification that their landlord is unwilling to cooperate in establishing or accepting vendor payments.   
Verification of a landlord’s refusal can be obtained using the Housing Assistance Verification (GA 31) form.  On this form, the landlord may indicate their refusal by checking the box next to “Landlord is unwilling to establish or accept vendor payments,” and must provide a phone number, signature, and date.  
If the landlord refuses to complete the GA 31, the client may provide a sworn statement on the  Sworn Statement (GEN 853) attesting that that the landlord declined to complete the GA 31 and refuses to establish or accept vendor payments.  

Note: Vendor payments will not be established for landlords who are unwilling to cooperate in establishing or accepting vendor payments. In these instances, shelter payments will be issued directly to the client upon approval of a Director’s Exception.  

Social Services Benefits Specialist (SSBS) Requirements

The SSBS must complete a Request for Director’s Exception (GA 5).  This referral must be completed after the SSBS determines that a client is eligible to receive the shelter payment and verifies that the landlord is unwilling to establish or accept vendor payments.  All pertinent verification must be attached to the GA 5.

Note: Refer to the Director's Exceptions topic in the GA Business Processes Handbook for further information on processing Director’s Exceptions.   

Reevaluation 

This Director’s Exception must be reevaluated every 12 months.  At the time of reevaluation, new verification must be provided showing that the client’s landlord is unwilling to cooperate in establishing or accepting vendor payments.  

Related Topics

Director's Exception Overview

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Non-Fed Families

Family Reunification

Undocumented Individual(s) Gravely Disabled or Facing Exigent Circumstances

Interim Assistance Testing

PRUCOL

Abused/Abandoned Sponsored Noncitizens

Homeless Shelter Placement Requirements

Public Administrator/Guardian/Conservator (PAGC) Cases