The STRMU 21-week Tracking Worksheet

What is the STRMU 21-week tracking worksheet? A tool for case managers to track the amount of STRMU assistance a client receives in a 52-week period.

Why do we need to use this worksheet? HUD requires that a client cannot receive more than 21-weeks (converted to 147 days) worth of STRMU assistance in any 52-week period.

What does 21-weeks (147 days) of assistance mean? 21-weeks (147 days) means the actual number of days worth of assistance that the client receives. This means if the client was assisted for half a month of rent, then this counts as half a month, not a full month (for example, 15 days out of a 30 day month).

What does the client eligibility (52-week) period mean? The 52-week period starts when the first STRMU payment is made (when the check is cut). This applies even when the first payment covers previous months.

What if the first payment was made for a bill that covers several months? Example: A client comes in on December 1 with a bill that covers October through November and the STRMU check was cut December 5. The 52-week period starts December 5 when the check was cut (the date the first STRMU payment was made on behalf of the client) and ends December 4 of the following year.

Key Points Payments must be tracked in the STRMU worksheet to ensure that assistance does not exceed 147 days or the Annual STRMU cap (if applicable). If an Annual STRMU Cap is established per client, the total amount of STRMU assistance (rent and utilities) cannot exceed this Cap. Even if the amount of STRMU assistance is under the Cap, the client cannot receive assistance for more than 147 days. There is no monthly STRMU Cap and the payment is not bound by the FMR.

February example The client comes in January 29 and asks to be assisted for all of February’s rent (due February 1) and all of January’s utility bill (due February 5). The client’s rent is $500 and the January utility bill is $85. The January utility bill period is December 23-January 20. The January utility bill period is 29 days and overlaps more than 14 days in January. Enter the amount of February rent in February. Enter the amount of January’s utility bill in January.

March example The client comes in March 25 and asks for assistance for all of February’s utility bill ($91) and all of March’s utility bill ($83). The February utility bill period is January 21-February 17 (28 days and overlaps more than 14 days in February). The March utility bill period is February 18- March 17 (29 days and overlaps more than 14 days in March)

May example The client comes in April 29 and asks for assistance for half of May’s rent and all of April’s utility bill. The client’s rent is $450 and the April utility bill is $65. The April utility bill period Mar 28- Apr 26 (30 days and overlaps more than 14 days in April)

June example A client comes in June 1 for all of June’s rent (due June 1). June’s rent is $400. The client returns June 18 for assistance with half of June’s utility bill. June’s utility bill is $100 and the utility bill period is May 20- June 15 (27 days and overlaps more than 14 days in June).

August example The client comes in July 25 and asks for assistance for all of July’s rent, including a $25 late fee, and also for August rent (due August 1). The client’s rent is $600.

Questions?

HOPWA TA schedule- Tuesdays 10-11am December 11, 2007- HOPWA Quarterly Report December 18, 2007- Permanent Housing Placement January 8, 2008- Rent Reasonableness and Section 8 Waiver January 15, 2008- Annual STRMU Cap and Supportive Services January 22, 2008- Comprehensive Housing Plan and Case Management January 29, 2008 TBRA and STRMU Worksheet

What now? Continue to review HOPWA Program Manual posted on website http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/hopwa/default.shtm Submit questions for HOPWA TA sessions to HIVSTDReport.tech@dshs.state.tx.us