Don't Consider Household Income with Live-In Aide Requests

Approving a live-in aide, if needed by a disabled household, is an example of a reasonable accommodation. When considering a household’ request for a live-in aide to accommodate a household member’ disability, don’t be concerned that the aide’s occupancy in a low-income unit will affect the household’s income.

Although live-in aides usually occupy a unit full time, they don’t count as part of a household for income purposes. You must grant the request if the household needs the aide as a reasonable accommodation. Live-in aides live with elderly or disabled household members to provide care. They may occupy a unit as long as they are:

• Essential to the care and well-being of a household member;
• Is not obligated for the support of the person(s); and
• Living in the unit for no other reason than to provide necessary supportive services [HUD Handbook 4350.3, par. 3-6(E)(3)(a)].

If someone meets this three-part test, that person qualifies as a live-in aide. Letting such a person live in a low-income unit as a reasonable accommodation won’t affect the household’s income.