Most landlords set their rent due date for the first of the month. But for tenants who receive disability benefits, making rent on time can be hard. That’s because benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) often arrive after the first of the month. Thanks to fair housing laws, help is available. Reasonable accommodations can help tenants with disabilities to avoid racking up late fees every month. Residents can use their fair housing rights to request an altered rent due date, making it possible to pay their rent on time.
SSI vs. SSDI: Understanding Disability Income
It’s important to understand what types of income might present issues to renters when it comes to paying rent on time. Let’s start with some key definitions:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides minimum basic financial assistance to older adults and persons with disabilities (regardless of age) with very limited income and resources. Federal SSI benefits from the Social Security Administration are often supplemented by state programs.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) supports individuals with disabilities who have a qualifying work history, either through their own employment or a family member (spouse or parent).
Right to a Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation (RA) is a change to a rule, policy, or practice in order for a person with a disability to have equal opportunity to use and enjoy their housing. This includes public and common use spaces. RAs must be related to a person’s disability. Most of the time, housing providers must grant requests if they meet these criteria. The Fair Housing Act allows tenants who receive disability benefits to request RAs for a change in their rent due date to correspond with the receipt of their SSI or SSDI benefits.
What to know when requesting a reasonable accommodation
Tenants can make requests for reasonable accommodations at any time, either verbally or in writing. A housing provider may provide a form for requests, but they cannot require a tenant to use their form to make a request. Landlords should approve the request if there is a clear connection between a resident’s disability and the request for a change in their rent due date. It is important to note that landlords may not charge people with disabilities extra fees or deposits as a condition for receiving RAs.
To learn more about fair housing rights for people with disabilities, visit thehousingcenter.org/disability. If you’d like to discuss your individual situation with a fair housing advocate, please contact our team today.