Do I have to disclose my personal information for my mother's housing assistance?

Full question:

My mother is receiving assistance from the housing authority in Myrtle Beach SC and we have a joint banking account that is linked with my personal savings and checking account. When I filled out her recent renewal I blacked out all my personal information and left her banking information as is. I was told this is unacceptable and that nothing should be blocked out even though her information was untouched. I question whether I should have to expose my personal information for anyone to view and is this an invasion of my privacy? In the past I have submitted forms with my information blacked out that were acceptable.

Answer:

We cannot give legal advice. The following is not a substitute for the advice of a local attorney. But we hope the information will be useful. If you have a record of a past renewal where your information was blacked out, you could show this to them. They might allow you to do it again. They aren’t invading your privacy; that would only happen if they obtained your information without your consent. You can refuse to provide your information, but if you do, they may not process your request, which is their right.

A practical solution is to change your banking situation to resolve the issue. Consider closing the joint account and/or opening a separate account for your mother to use for her housing assistance funds. This is the easiest way to address your concern. Good luck.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, government agencies can access your bank account information under certain circumstances, such as during audits or investigations. However, they typically need a valid reason or legal authority, such as a court order, to view your account balance. For housing assistance, they may require financial information to determine eligibility.