Applicant fraud, lower staffing levels and differing ways applicants earn income make verifying income a bigger challenge than ever before. HUD’s highest level of income verification for new applicants is upfront income verification (UIV) using non-HUD systems. Most agencies are aware of The Work Number for UIV, but there are many other more cost-effective data providers and other electronic data sets. Use of electronic data verification can help enhance program integrity, improve administrative efficiency and reduce steps applicants must take to obtain housing assistance. Session attendees will learn how the costs of UIV are justified based on current challenges and opportunities.