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Boston Housing Authority Certification of Need (RA)

The Boston Housing Authority asks a medical, rehabilitation or service agency professional to complete this seven-page certification when a household member requests a reasonable accommodation in public housing. The professional confirms whether the person has a disability under the fair housing definition and explains the disability-related need for unit features, a transfer, or a change in rules, policies or procedures.

Who completes it

The household fills in the head of household, the member who needs the accommodation, client number and contact details. The provider answers the opening disability questions, completes Parts I to III as they apply, and signs Part IV with name, title, agency, address and phone.

Submitting and payment

How to submit it
The original must be mailed to the BHA staff member named on the form; Section 8 households use BHA's separate Leased Housing version.
Who pays
The form lists no fee for the provider's certification.

Good to know

  • BHA says the form is not required by disability law; a letter on official letterhead can substitute or add detail, and the household decides with the provider how much to share.
  • Part I lists unit features such as maximum stairs, grab bars, walk-in shower and wheelchair-accessible features; units with roll-in or walk-in showers are limited, so waits can be long.
  • For a live-in personal care attendant, Part III asks the attendant's duties, whether the provider's agency supplies one, or a family member's name, relationship and qualifications.
  • The provider states whether they discussed the disability with the person within the last six months.

Get the official form

Download the current version from the source each time; forms change without notice.

Certification of Need for Reasonable Accommodation

Official pagePDF

Fill it with Vero

If your copy of the form is a fillable PDF, upload it once and Vero Documents fills it from the visit note and the chart, ready for you to review and sign. Download, print, or email the finished form, with the patient’s consent.

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How this list is checked

A form is listed only after its name and number were confirmed on the issuing agency’s or insurer’s own website, or in the form itself. Each entry links to that source. The list was last checked in October 2026. Forms and their requirements change without notice, so check the official page for the current version before you complete one.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use BHA's Certification of Need form?

No. BHA says the form was created to help it evaluate requests and is not required by disability law. Providers who need more room can use the additional writing space on page 6 or attach a letter on official letterhead. Questions about the form go to BHA's Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator.

What are the Part IV options on the BHA certification?

The provider checks one: the accommodation may be necessary for the household member to have an equal housing opportunity because of a disability; the provider cannot certify that and explains why; or the household member is not disabled and does not need an accommodation because of a disability.