HUD Amends Social Security Income Documentation Requirements for FHA-Approved Mortgages

Mortgage Origination HUD

On August 17, HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 12-15, which clarifies the documentation requirements for the types of Social Security Administration (SSA) income used to assess a borrower’s income qualification. According to the Letter, all income from the SSA can be used to qualify a borrower, provided the income is verified using one of several listed documents. A lender also must document the continuance of SSA income, and if such income is due to expire within three years of the mortgage application date, it can be considered only as a compensating factor. A lender should assume continuance if the documentation does not provide a defined expiration date, and the lender should not request additional documentation.