Program Specific Overview: SSVF

This article is intended for HMIS users with access to SSVF projects. It is encouraged to reference the HUD issued VA Programs HMIS Manual as well as the VA issued VA Data Guide. Skip to the Service Crosswalk or Financial Assistance Crosswalk for Service Transactions.

*Guide Updated: September 2025

 

Project Types

Each SSVF grantee has two different projects set up within HMIS@NCCEH: SSVF Rapid Rehousing and SSVF Homelessness Prevention. "Participants should be entered into HMIS under either the RRH or HP project based on the housing status of the head of household." (VA Data Guide, pg 12) It is vitally important that the correct project be utilized for each client in order to ensure correct reporting for both the SSVF grantee and the Continuum(s) of Care in which they operate.  

Project Type Eligible Clients
SSVF Rapid Rehousing VA eligible clients living in literal homeless situations at the time of intake (e.g. emergency shelters or places not meant for habitation)
SSVF Homelessness Prevention VA eligible clients living in non-homeless situations but are at imminent risk of homelessness (e.g. rental unit, family member's house, hotel for which the consumer is paying)

If Homeless Prevention SSVF clients change housing status during the delivery of services, the client/household should be exited and re-entered into the correct Rapid re-Housing project type. For example, sometimes HP interventions do not succeed and a client moves from being imminently at risk of homelessness at Project start into experiencing homelessness (under HUD's definition). The client would be exited from the HP project and then entered the same day for RRH. This will ensure that their experience of homelessness is accurately reflected in HMIS data.

 

SSVF Specific Required Data Elements

  • Veteran's Information - Series of questions in a sub-assessment
  • Percent AMI (SSVF Eligibility)
  • Last Permanent Address
  • VAMC Station Number
  • Connection with SOAR
  • Last Grade Completed
  • Employment Status
  • Domestic Violence History - all adults in the household
  • Services Provided (SSVF) *recorded as an HMIS service transaction
  • Financial Assistance (SSVF)  *recorded as an HMIS service transaction
  • SSVF HP Targeting Criteria - Homelessness Prevention Program Only!

 

SSVF Service Transactions

SSVF Service Transactions must be recorded for both Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention clients, each time a service is provided. For an example of Emergency Housing Assistance specifically, see our Emergency Housing Assistance Data Entry Guide.

Recording SSVF Services

  1. Set Enter Data As Mode
  2. Search for client by name or HMIS ID
  3. Set Back Date Mode
  4. Click on the Services Transactions Tab
  5. From the Services Transaction Dashboard, click Add Service
    • Add_Service.jpg
  6. For families: SSVF services should be recorded under the veteran’s record.  The veteran should appear as “primary client”. Include additional family members by clicking on the checkbox next to each household members name for which the service should be applied.
    • Srvc.Inc_Families.jpg
  7. Confirm the Services Provider is accurate and that the Start Date and End Date are set correctly. These dates should match the dates for which the specific service is applicable (i.e. April's rent was paid on March 28th, the Service Transaction Start Date would be April 1 and the End Date would be April 30)
  8. Select the Service Type from the dropdown menu. Leave "Provider Specific Service" blank.
  9. Click Save & Continue
    • Service_Creation.jpg
  10. Select the appropriate "SSVF-specific fields": Note: SSVF Service and SSVF Financial Assistance must never be recorded in the same service transaction! There must be a separate service transaction record for each instance of services and financial assistance provided
    • If recording a general service: select the appropriate service in the Type of SSVF Service dropdown. Refer to the "SSVF Services Crosswalk" below for the appropriate selection.
    • If recording financial assistance: select the appropriate financial assistance type in the SSVF Financial Assistance Type and enter the amount in the SSVF Financial Assistance Amount. Refer to the "SSVF Financial Assistance Crosswalk" below to determine the appropriate selection.
    • SSVF_Service_Types.jpg
  11. Scroll down to the "Need Information" section to update the Need Status and Outcome of Need according to the client's situation.
  12. Click Save & Exit

Needs_Information.jpg

 

SSVF Service Crosswalk

Type of SSVF Service (category) SSVF Dependent Service (sub-category) HMIS Service Type
Outreach Services [No specific sub-category] Outreach Programs
Case Management Services 
(required for 90 day recertifications for Extended Shallow Subsidy clients)
[No specific sub-category] Case/Care Management
Assistance Obtaining VA Benefits Education Assistance Education
Employment and Training Services Training and Employment Programs
Health Care Services Health Care
VA vocational and rehabilitation counseling Veteran Employment Programs
Assistance Obtaining/Coordinating Other Public Benefits Child Care Child Care Providers
Daily Living Services Life Skills Education
Fiduciary and Representative Payee Services Representative Payee Services
Health Care Services (Community Health including Mental Health referral) Health Care

Mental Health Support Services
Health care services (VA Health including Mental Health Referral) Health Care

Mental Health Support Services
Housing Counseling Housing Counseling
Income Support Services

General Benefits Assistance


Income Support and Employment


Veteran Benefits Assistance

Legal Services - Child Support Child Support Assistance
Legal Services - Eviction Prevention Eviction Prevention Legal Assistance
Legal Services - Other Legal Services
Legal Services - Outstanding Fines and Penalties Criminal and Civil Fine Collection Offices
Legal Services - Restore/Acquire Driver's License

Driver Licenses

 

Driver License Retention/Reinstatement Assistance

Personal Financial Planning Services Personal Financial Counseling
Transportation Services Transportation

Direct Provision of Other Public Benefits

 

Child Care Child Care Providers
Eviction Prevention Eviction Prevention Legal Assistance
Fiduciary and Representative Payee Services Representative Payee Services
Housing Counseling Housing Counseling
Income Support Services General Benefits Assistance
Veteran Benefits Assistance
Legal Services - Child Support Child Support Assistance/Enforcement
Legal Services - Eviction Prevention Eviction Prevention Legal Assistance
Legal Services - Outstanding Fines and Penalties Criminal and Civil Fine Collection Offices
Legal Services - Other Legal Services
Legal Services - Restore/Acquire Driver's License

Driver Licenses

 

Driver License Retention/Reinstatement Assistance

Personal Financial Planning Services Personal Financial Counseling
Transportation Services Transportation
Extended Shallow Subsidy Housing/Shelter  Rent Payment Assistance
Other (non-TFA) Supportive Service Approved by VA [No specific sub-category] Individual and Family Support Services
Rapid Resolution Housing/Shelter  Homeless Diversion Programs
Returning Home Housing/Shelter  At Risk/Homeless Rehousing

 

SSVF Financial Assistance Crosswalk

SSVF Financial Assistance HMIS Service Type
Rental assistance Rent Payment Assistance
Utility fee payment assistance Utility Assistance
Security deposit Rental Deposit Assistance
Utility deposit Utility Deposit Assistance
Moving costs Moving Expense Assistance
Transportation services: tokens/vouchers Transportation Expense Assistance
Transportation services: vehicle repair/maintenance Automotive Repair and Maintenance
Child Care Child Care Providers
General housing stability assistance - emergency supplies Personal Goods/Services
General housing stability assistance - other

General Relief

 

Household Goods

 

Job Readiness

 

Personal Goods

 

Prescription Expense Assistance

Emergency Housing Assistance At Risk/Homeless Housing Related
Assistance Programs
Extended Shallow Subsidy - rental assistance Rent Payment Assistance
Food Assistance Emergency Food
Landlord Incentive Landlord/tenant assistance
Tenant Incentive Landlord/tenant assistance
Healthcare Navigation

Health Insurance Information/Counseling

 

Health Treatment Options Information

 

Medical Information Services

 

For a Printable version of the SSVF Service and Financial Assistance Crosswalks, please see WellSky's FY2026 Services Provided and FY2026 Financial Assistance.

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? BELOW ARE SOME SUGGESTED RELATED ARTICLES!

SSVF Reports: SSVF Export and SSVF Data Quality

 

Have more questions? Submit a request

Comments

Powered by Zendesk