Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
Someone came to see the place and they want to use their child's SSDI payments as part of the income to qualify for the rental. I have taken an applicant on SSDI before but have never heard of someone trying to do this. Do I have to accept this? I have not run an app yet--she just came to see the place today. Thanks.
It would depend on the situation....In my experience the unfortunate truth is that usually the kid has some minor disability that really doesn't justify SSDI but some doctor signed off on it. What I usually encounter is a section 8 tenant who has 4plus kids, 2 of which collect SSDI for depression on ADHD. The mother usually has a deadbeat boyfriend home playing video games all day and the kids are home schooled and the SSDI check is used for pot and ciggarettes and on a rare occasion the electric bill, that is if they even pay that.
I would read between the lines when someone ask me to use their kids income Because they are unable to support themselves without it.
the sad part is that it should be used to help the children, but most people abuse the system and that is why our country is in the shape that it is in.
It is a part of the applicants income. I imagine the child is their legal responsibility and is using the income for their benefit, which would include housing and utilities. I guess I might ask for further documentation on it to get a better idea of what yiu are looking at. Is the child 17 and going to move out in 6 months and they definately won't make it. Or do you have reason to believe this benefit is temporary for any reason. I would say it is up to your discretion. I had a neighbor who had a child under her care with SSDI payments, her younger daughter was actually also hired by the state to do in home care while the mother worked. This was after the child turned 18 and the lady had to take a class to become state approved to provide care and continue with the payments on his behalf.
An FYI... SSDI is not income, it is a benefit. An entitlement, if you will, and I think the benefit is exempt from taxation. So it depends on if your requirements are 'income of X' vs. 'income and benefits of X'
It would depend on the situation....In my experience the unfortunate truth is that usually the kid has some minor disability that really doesn't justify SSDI but some doctor signed off on it. What I usually encounter is a section 8 tenant who has 4plus kids, 2 of which collect SSDI for depression on ADHD. The mother usually has a deadbeat boyfriend home playing video games all day and the kids are home schooled and the SSDI check is used for pot and ciggarettes and on a rare occasion the electric bill, that is if they even pay that.
I would read between the lines when someone ask me to use their kids income Because they are unable to support themselves without it.
the sad part is that it should be used to help the children, but most people abuse the system and that is why our country is in the shape that it is in.
I agree with you 100% and I see people abusing the system by staying in their homes when the bank foreclosed and their excuse is the bank took advantage of me. Wrong the home owner knew what the payments were but they decide to be dishonest and work the system and that is the reason poor hard working honest people can not get a home loan because of all the ones working the system wanting something for free..
It's so obvious that the SSDI is being milked, at least here in Florida...this time it was the child who was on it but normally the profile seems to be a single mother under 35 or 40 with at least two kids, from what I've seen.
I have a tenant with a real disability who collects, and a friend who's on SSDI, food stamps, etc., so I get the legitimate side of it too, but you'd have to be blind to see what's going on.
I would be curious to know what this applicant's rental history looked like, what the previous landlords said about their tenancy, and why they are moving.
What I usually encounter is a section 8 tenant who has 4plus kids, 2 of which collect SSDI for depression on ADHD.
Wow. Really? It has truly gotten absurd what all can get a person SSDI.
I support SSDI for maimed veteran's and old/completely inform. SSDI for depression, fibromyalgia, etc....absurd. We all have issues yet find a way to work
Hola....this person's main source of income is a business they "just bought" (don't know the date) so I have a strong feeling they are not going to be able to produce tax records from last year to prove income, and I know the SSI income alone will not be enough to cut it. I'm actually more concerned about the business than the SSI because both partners work there and of course there is a high chance it could fail. If I determine on the phone that they can't produce the tax records I'm just going to tell them I have to pass.
What I usually encounter is a section 8 tenant who has 4plus kids, 2 of which collect SSDI for depression on ADHD.
Wow. Really? It has truly gotten absurd what all can get a person SSDI.
I support SSDI for maimed veteran's and old/completely inform. SSDI for depression, fibromyalgia, etc....absurd. We all have issues yet find a way to work
I'd be careful.
The 'D' in SSDI is Disability. As a landlord, selecting which disabilities you honor and not honor because you think they are "absurd" will land you in protected class hot water. Disability, like race, is a protected class. Just curious if you wouldn't rent to "absurd" races, or "absurd" family arrangements? Would you rent a 1 BR condo to a single father with a teenage daughter? Or is that "absurd"?
If your policy is to accept applicants with "income that is 3 times the rent", then define how you interpret "income" (e.g. income is W-2 wages excluding bonuses and overtime) you won't have to deal with tenants afflicted with what you call "absurd" disabilities. If you define "income" as including SSDI payments, then rent only to wounded warriors on SSDI and exclude other SSDI applicants, IMO you are asking for trouble.
If I determine on the phone that they can't produce the tax records I'm just going to tell them I have to pass.
A person with a "normal" job could get fired too.
Either this applicant has verifiable income through tax records that can meet your income requirements or they don't. What was your decision on accepting the child's SSDI and classifying it as income? Is the kid a minor or adult?