Exclude Income of Temp Census Workers

To clarify some confusion, HUD issued a notice [PIH-2010-38(HA)] specifying how the income from temporary employment with the U.S. Census Bureau should be handled.

Income payments that are considered temporary—for employment lasting no longer than 180 days and not culminating in permanent employment—are to be excluded when factoring a household's income [24 CFR §5.609(c)(9)]. This applies to temporary income payments from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. Census Bureau employs temporary workers for periods of up to 180 days' duration. In the past, rental assistance program participants declined such employment because they perceived that any income they received as a result would affect their rent and other public assistance benefits. HUD's mission and the effective delivery of HUD programs depend, in part, on accurate census data. From this standpoint, HUD supports having an adequate work force to ensure accurate census counts in every neighborhood and supports such employment by HUD program participants.

The notice applies to Public and Indian Housing rental assistance programs including public housing, Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, Housing Choice Voucher, and Section 8 project-based voucher and certificate programs.

More information is available from your local HUD office, or by calling the Office of Public Housing Programs at (202) 402-6263.