What a housing modification statement is and why you need one

A housing modification statement is a written record of the cost and purpose of changes you made to your home to accommodate a disability. Social Security uses this document when you claim housing modifications as a work incentive deduction under the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or when you report it as a work-related expense that reduces your countable income.

The statement serves two purposes. First, it proves to Social Security that the modification is disability-related and necessary for you to work or prepare for work. Second, it creates an official record of what you spent, so Social Security can verify the amount against your actual receipts and invoices. Without this statement, Social Security may deny the deduction or ask you to provide one before processing your case.

You do not need a statement for every housing expense—only for modifications that directly support your ability to work. Examples include a wheelchair ramp, accessible bathroom renovation, widened doorways, or a lift system. Routine repairs, general maintenance, or improvements that benefit anyone (new roof, paint, flooring) do not may have access to.

Key Takeaways

  • A housing modification statement documents what you spent and why the change was necessary for your work or work preparation due to your disability.
  • You must attach receipts, invoices, and contractor estimates to the statement so Social Security can verify the actual cost.
  • The statement should include the date of the modification, the specific change made, the total cost, and how it helps you work or prepare for work.
  • You submit the statement to your local Social Security office or your PASS planner, depending on whether you have an approved PASS plan.
  • Social Security may request additional documentation such as medical records linking the modification to your disability or a letter from your employer confirming the modification helps you work.

What information to include in your statement

Your statement should be a straightforward, clear document—one to two pages—that answers the basic questions Social Security will ask. Start with your name, Social Security number, and the date you are writing the statement. Then describe the modification in plain language: what was changed, where in your home it was done, and when the work was completed.

Next, explain how the modification helps you work or prepares you to work. Be specific. Instead of "I need to move around my home," write "I use a wheelchair and the ramp allows me to enter and exit my home independently to get to my job at [employer name]" or "The accessible bathroom modification allows me to manage my personal care routine before work without information from a caregiver, which saves me $X per month."

Include the total cost of the modification and break it down by category if the project had multiple parts—for example, labor, materials, permits. If the modification is still in progress or you are paying for it over time, state the total planned cost and how much you have paid so far. End with your signature and the date.

Gathering receipts and invoices to attach

Social Security will not accept your statement alone. You must attach copies of every receipt, invoice, and estimate related to the modification. These documents prove the cost is real and that you actually paid for the work.

Collect invoices from contractors, suppliers, or service providers who did the work or sold you materials. The invoice should show the date, a description of the work or materials, the cost, and the name and contact information of the business. If you paid a contractor in cash, ask for a written receipt that includes the same details. If you paid by check or credit card, keep a copy of the cancelled check or the credit card statement showing the charge.

If you have not yet completed the modification, gather written estimates from at least one contractor. An estimate is not proof of payment, but Social Security will accept it as documentation of the planned cost while your modification is underway. Once the work is done, replace the estimate with the final invoice.

Organize the receipts and invoices in order by date and label them clearly—for example, "Receipt 1: Materials from Home Depot, March 15, 2024" and "Receipt 2: Labor invoice from ABC Contractors, March 20, 2024." Attach them to your statement with a cover sheet that lists each document by number and date.

Connecting the modification to your disability and work

Social Security must see a clear link between your disability and the modification. Your statement should explain this connection, but you may also need to provide medical documentation. If your statement does not make the connection obvious, Social Security will ask for it, which delays processing.

The strongest statements include a sentence or two from your doctor or medical provider confirming that the modification is medically necessary due to your disability. This does not have to be a formal letter—a note from your doctor on their letterhead stating "I have treated [your name] for [your condition] and confirm that a wheelchair ramp is medically necessary to allow safe entry and exit from the home" is sufficient.

If you are claiming the modification as a work-related expense under a PASS plan, your PASS planner can help you write the statement and gather the supporting documents. If you are reporting it as a work expense without a PASS plan, you will need to make the disability-to-work connection yourself in the statement.

Where and how to submit your statement

If you have an approved PASS plan, send your housing modification statement and receipts to your PASS planner. They will review the documents, verify the cost, and add the deduction to your PASS budget. This usually takes two to four weeks.

If you do not have a PASS plan and are reporting the modification as a work-related expense on your Ticket to Work or in response to a Social Security review, submit the statement and receipts to your local Social Security office. You can mail them, bring them in person, or upload them through your My Social Security account if you have one set up. Include a cover letter with your name, Social Security number, and a brief explanation of what you are submitting and why.

Keep copies of everything you submit. Social Security sometimes loses documents, and having your own copies protects you if you need to resubmit or appeal a decision.

What happens after you submit your statement

Social Security will review your statement and receipts to confirm the modification is disability-related and that the cost is reasonable. If everything is clear and complete, they will approve the deduction and adjust your benefit calculation. This can take four to eight weeks depending on your local office's workload.

If Social Security needs more information, they will send you a letter asking for specific documents—usually medical records, a letter from your employer, or clarification of how the modification helps you work. Respond to this request within the important date stated in the letter, usually 10 days. If you miss the important date, Social Security may deny the deduction.

If Social Security denies the deduction, you have the right to appeal. You can request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial letter. At that stage, you can submit additional documents, such as a more detailed medical statement or a letter from your employer, to support your claim.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is submitting a statement without receipts or invoices. Social Security cannot verify your cost without them, and they will ask you to provide them. This delays your case by weeks or months. Always attach copies of every receipt before you send your statement.

Another mistake is describing the modification in vague terms. "I made changes to my bathroom" does not tell Social Security what was done or why. Instead, write "I installed grab bars, a walk-in shower, and a raised toilet seat in my bathroom because I have arthritis and cannot safely use a standard bathtub or toilet." Specificity makes approval faster.

A third mistake is failing to explain how the modification helps you work. Social Security must see a direct connection between the modification and your work or work preparation. If your statement does not make this clear, include a separate paragraph that explains it. For example: "This modification allows me to work full-time at my job because I can now use the bathroom independently without information, which saves time and reduces my need for a personal care attendant during work hours."

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a doctor's letter to go with my statement?

A doctor's letter is not always required, but it strengthens your case. If your statement clearly explains how your disability makes the modification necessary and how it helps you work, Social Security may approve it without a letter. However, if the connection is not obvious, Social Security will ask for medical documentation. Providing a letter upfront can speed up approval.

What if I paid for the modification before I started working or before I had SSDI?

Social Security will still count the cost if you can show receipts and prove the modification is disability-related. However, the timing matters for PASS plans—modifications must be completed or planned as part of an approved PASS budget to count as a deduction. If you made the modification before your PASS plan was approved, ask your PASS planner whether it can be added retroactively.

Can I include the cost of maintenance or repairs to a modification I already made?

No. Social Security counts the original cost of the modification, not ongoing maintenance or repairs. For example, if you installed a ramp five years ago and now need to repair it, the repair cost does not count as a new work-related expense. Only the initial modification counts.

What if a family member paid for the modification, not me?

You can still report it as a work-related expense if you can show that the modification is necessary for your work and that you benefit from it. You will need receipts showing who paid and a statement explaining the arrangement. Social Security may ask for a letter from the family member confirming they paid for it and that it is for your use.

How long does Social Security keep my statement on file?

Social Security keeps all documents related to your case in your file indefinitely. If you are reviewed again in the future and the modification is still relevant to your work, Social Security will have the original statement and receipts. You do not need to resubmit them unless Social Security specifically asks.