From:                                                       SSVF

Sent:                                                         Friday, March 22, 2019 5:08 PM

To:                                                            SSVF

Subject:                                                   SSVF Program Update Friday, November 9, 2018

 

Follow Up Flag:                                      Follow up

Flag Status:                                             Completed

 

Topics:

 

1.           Register Now: Rapid Rehousing Institute Rapid Resolution (Problem Solving Conversations) Sessions

2.           Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar December 13th at 2:00 EST

3.           Important: FY2018 End of Year Closeout Certification

4.           Resource: FY19 VA Data Guide Available

5.           New: SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) NEW Child Curriculum

6.           Notice: Veterans Day

 

Register Now: Rapid Rehousing Institute Rapid Resolution (Problem Solving Conversations) Sessions

 

The purpose of this webinar is to provide a follow up to the Rapid Rehousing Institute Rapid Resolution (Problem-Solving Conversation) sessions. Participants will receive a brief refresher, hear expectations and anticipated timeline, and will learn about the next step that they need to take with system scanning. System scanning will be part of the preparation process for grantees leading into the January SSVF Regional Meetings.

 

Please register for Nov 20, 2018 1:00 PM EST at:

 

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7190443601291974915

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Note:  The materials from the RRHI events that took place in October are available at https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp?page=/ssvf_university/program_launch_regional_meeting_materials.

 

Save the Date: SSVF National Webinar December 13th at 2:00 EST

 

Important: FY2018 End of Year Closeout Certification

 

This reporting requirement applies to all SSVF grantees with project periods that ended on 9/30/2018, including those with 30-day extensions. The SSVF Program Office has activated the online GIFTS requirement form for those grantees with End of Year Closeout activities due by November 14, 2018. Grantees have received the VA customized FY18 Financial Expenditure Report templates (Excel) within the GIFTS email notification.  These reports are a required attachment to the GIFTS online form. 

 

Please note that grantees with 30-day extensions should have received their email notification of  the GIFTS requirement form and Financial Expenditure Report template on November 5, which are due on December 15, 2018.  The SSVF Program Office has developed a companion guide to assist grantees in the completion of the FY18 closeout, which is available on the SSVF website under SSVF Online Grants Management System (GIFTS) at:

 

https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/?page=/official_guide/reporting_and_monitoring_requirements

 

The GIFTS online requirement form, SSVF End of Year Program Certification, has been published to the agency’s designated GIFTS account holder and is now visible in the GIFTS account portal. The GIFTS account portal can be found at: https://grantrequest.com/SID_2115

 

If you have questions, please contact SSVF@va.gov.

 

Resource: FY19 Data Guide Available

 

The SSVF Program Office has released the FY19 Data Guide.  The latest VA Data Guide provides grantees with current information on required HMIS data elements and standards.  The guide also contains instructions for grantees seeking clarification on SSVF data management requirements.  The new guide can be found on the SSVF website here:

 

https://www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/index.asp?page=/official_guide/homeless_management_info_system

 

New:  SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) NEW Child Curriculum The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center recently released a brand-new SOAR Child Curriculum which provides training for staff assisting children and youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for SSI. The SSVF Program Office strongly encourages grantees to review the new child curriculum to best serve Veterans and their families.

Information on the SOAR Child Curriculum can be found here:  https://soarworks.prainc.com/course/ssissdi-outreach-access-and-recovery-soar-online-training

 

SSI/SSDI and SSVF Housing Assistance

We received policy clarification on VA Housing Assistance programs and SSI. HUD-VASH, SSVF, and the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program are all excluded as income for SSI purposes. This type of assistance is also not considered "In-Kind Support and Maintenance" (ISM).

 

•            The HUD-VASH Voucher program (24 CFR 982) is excluded because the vouchers provided for housing are funded by HUD, which is excluded according to the Social Security Administration policy guidance (POMS).

•            SSVF and the GPD Program are also excluded based on the regulatory language in 20 C.F.R. 416.1103(b) (1) -(3) (excluding some cash and in-kind assistance related to social services programs) and the assistance from these programs can be excluded as unearned income.

 

In the coming months, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will be updating their policy guidance to more accurately reflect this information. In the meantime, please use the information above to support your work.

In summary, VA housing assistance (including SSVF rental assistance) is excluded income and should not reduce someone’s SSI cash benefit.

 

Notice: Veterans Day

 

Sunday is Veterans Day.  The SSVF Program Office would like to thank the SSVF providers for the work that they do in honoring Veterans and working toward ending Veteran homelessness in their communities.  The SSVF Program Office will be closed on Monday, November 12th in observance of Veterans Day.

 

Thank you,

 

SSVF Program Office