Losing Your Section 8 Assistance
What can OHA take away my assistance for?
You could lose your assistance (called Termination) if you do not meet any of your Participant Obligations or for other actions or inactions by you or your household members.
Click here for a list of actions and inactions that could cause you to lose your assistance or check out OHA's Administrative Plan.
How will I know if OHA is taking away my Section 8 assistance?
If your assistance is being taken away you will receive a Section 8 Proposed Termination Notice in the mail. This notice will tell you why you are losing your assistance, when your assistance will end, and how to request an Informal Hearing.
What's an Informal Hearing?
An Informal Hearing is a way for you to appeal an OHA decision you disagree with.
How do I request an Informal Hearing?
You must request the Informal Hearing in writing within 14 calendar days of the date of the Proposed Termination Notice (or the notice of the decision you want to appeal). The informal hearing will be held within 30 days of the day your request is received by OHA.
Click here for a list of OHA decisions you can appeal through an Informal Hearing process.
What happens at the Informal Hearing?
At the hearing, a Hearing Officer will act like a judge/arbitrator and will decide if the decision was made according to Section 8 regulations, OHA policies, and the law. The Hearing Officer will be someone who was not involved in making or approving the decision you are trying to change.
OHA will present its case first and then you will present your case. The Hearing Officer will review your file and question you, OHA staff, and any witnesses. During the hearing, you and OHA will be able to present witnesses and evidence, make statements and cross-examine witnesses. You also have the right to be represented by an attorney or any other person at your own expense. Click here for Legal Assistance information
When will I find out what the Informal Hearing decision is?
The hearing decision will be mailed within 10 days of the hearing date. If you disagree with the Hearing decision, you can request an Executive Review by the Executive Director of OHA or his/her authorized representative.
How do I request an Executive Review of the Hearing decision?
You must request an Executive Review in writing within 20 days of the date of the Hearing decision. If you request an Executive Review, OHA will not take any adverse action until the Executive Director issues a decision, or 30 days passes, whichever happens first.
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