R 132013Z NOV 09

ALCOAST 653/09
COMDTNOTE 7000
SUBJ: HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HAP) UPDATE TWO
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 191327Z MAR 09/ALCOAST 156/09
B. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 060148Z OCT 09/ALCOAST 579/09
C. HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, 42 USC 3374
D. AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009
E. WORKER, HOMEOWNERSHIP, AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2009
1. ON 06 NOV 2009 THE PRESIDENT SIGNED HR 3548 INTO LAW AND THEREBY
EXEMPTED EXPANDED HAP BENEFIT PAYMENTS FROM TAXATION.  MEMBERS WHO
RECEIVED PAYMENTS UNDER THIS PROGRAM AND HAD TAXES WITHHELD ARE
ADVISED TO APPLY FOR A REFUND FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
WHEN THEY FILE THEIR INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RETURN.
2. AS REPORTED IN REF (A) AND (B), THE EXISTING HOMEOWNERS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HAP), REF (C), HAS BEEN AMENDED BY REF (D) TO
EXPAND COVERAGE TO HOMEOWNERS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MILITARY BASE
REALIGNMENT OR CLOSURE (BRAC), WOUNDED WARRIORS AND SURVIVING
SPOUSES, AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES PERMANENTLY REASSIGNED
OUTSIDE A 50 MILE RADIUS OF THEIR CURRENT ASSIGNMENT DURING A
SPECIFIED MORTGAGE CRISIS. THE TAX EXEMPTION FOR HAP PAYMENTS
OUTLINED IN REF (E) IS EFFECTIVE 17 FEB 2009.
3. THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CONTINUES TO PROCESS HAP
APPLICATIONS AND WILL CONTACT EACH APPLICANT CONCERNING THEIR
ELIGIBILITY AND BENEFITS.
4. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, AND WANT TO SEEK ASSISTANCE, REVIEW THE
PROGRAM PARAMETERS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AT THE ARMY CORPS
OF ENGINEERS WEB SITE AT HAP.USACE.ARMY.MIL, DOWNLOAD THE
APPLICATION PACKET AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION.  CAREFULLY READ
ALL INSTRUCTIONS, AND MAIL YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION TO THE USACE
DISTRICT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN WHICH YOUR PROPERTY IS
LOCATED.
5. POC IS JOHN BYCZEK, JBYCZEK(AT)USCG.MIL, COMDT (CG-1222)
202-475-5390.
6. MR. CURTIS B. ODOM, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.