Required documents can be uploaded online after you submit your application. Alternatively, you can mail the documents to TRS. Details for each option are included in the online application. TRS must receive the required documents within 10 days from the date of your submission; if the required documents are not received within 10 days, your hardship application will be canceled and you must file a new application.

You may request to withdraw all or part of your TDA or Roth account balance if a sudden and heavy financial hardship leaves you unable to reasonably meet certain expenses, and other resources are unavailable to you. For a list of hardship expenses and required documents for each expense, see What are the expenses and required documents for each hardship type?

You can request a hardship as often as the need arises providing you have new documents to substantiate the need.

Yes. You can request an income-verification letter in the secure section of the TRS website in the Payments section. The letter can be printed or downloaded, and a copy will be posted to your Documents section. You can also elect to have the letter mailed to a third party.

As defined in the Internal Revenue Code, the types of expenses that qualify for a TDA or Roth hardship withdrawal and the supporting documentation required for each are:

• Educational expenses: tuition, related educational fees, and related room and/or board expenses for post-secondary education for either the preceding 12 months or the next 12 months of education for you, your spouse, a dependent, or child (including a child who does not qualify as a dependent for tax purposes). Documentation: Outstanding itemized bill(s) (with name of student indicated) from the academic institution.
• Eviction foreclosure expenses: payment to prevent eviction from your principal residence or foreclosure on that residence. Documentation: Valid eviction or foreclosure notice (e.g., letter from landlord, attorney, or representative indicating amount due and date of pending eviction or foreclosure).
• Funeral expenses: payments for burial or funeral expenses for your spouse, parent, dependent, or child (including a child who does not qualify as a dependent for tax purposes). Documentation: Funeral home, cemetery, or related bills.
• IRS qualified natural disaster expenses: expenses for the repair of damage to your principal residence that would qualify for the casualty deduction under Section 165 of the IRC. Documentation: Photograph(s) of damage and licensed contractor’s estimate or bill(s) to repair the damage and/or letter from insurance company indicating the reimbursed expenses.
• Medical expenses: certain medical expenses for you, your spouse, a dependent, or child (including a child who does not qualify as a dependent for tax purposes) that are not covered by health insurance. Documentation: Physician, hospital, and/or related bills.
• New rental lease based on eviction from prior residence: payment required for a new rental lease for your principal residence following eviction from a previous principal residence. Documentation: New valid lease and eviction notice.
• Purchase of primary residence: costs directly related to the purchase of your principal residence (excluding mortgage payments) and additional costs (e.g., legal and/or other closing fees) associated with this purchase. Documentation: Valid sales contract for purchase of principal residence signed by purchaser and seller and “good faith estimate” of any additional costs.

Please note that, if the documentation describes a hardship for a person other than yourself, you must also include proof of the other person’s relationship to you (e.g., a 1040 form). Also, documentation is not required for hardship withdrawals based on domestic abuse.

TRS must verify and validate the bank account information you provide on your EFT election. Withdrawals, loans, and other one-time payments can be made to the new account no less than 21 days after TRS receives your election. For monthly benefit payments, it may take 30-60 days before the new account can receive the payments.

Before your EFT begins, TRS will send you a letter confirming the type of account (i.e., checking or savings), account number, transit routing number, and the financial institution to which payments are to be deposited. The letter will be posted in the secure section of our website (in the Documents section) before you receive it in the mail.

TRS must verify and validate the bank account information you provide on your EFT election. Withdrawals, loans, and other one-time payments can be made to the new account no less than 21 days after TRS receives your election. For monthly benefit payments, it may take 30-60 days before the new account can receive the payments.

Before your EFT begins, TRS will send you a letter confirming the type of account (i.e., checking or savings), account number, transit routing number, and the financial institution to which payments are to be deposited. The letter will be posted in the secure section of our website (in the Documents section) before you receive it in the mail.

The following items are considered acceptable date-of-birth documentation:

• Birth certificate;
• Passport (book or card);
• Naturalization document; OR
• Driver’s license or non-driver ID card from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida.

If none of the above is available, you can submit two of the following:

• Driver's license or non-driver ID card from other states not listed above, or any learner’s permit;
• Certificate of military record;
• Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information (Form SSA2458); or
• Other government-issued identification

Documentation must not be expired. Photocopies of all documents are acceptable.

Please note that any date-of-birth documentation in a language other than English must be accompanied by a translation. Birth certificates from Puerto Rico are only valid with issue dates from July 1, 2010, or after.

You may upload your date-of-birth documentation in the secure area of our website or mail it to TRS.

Please submit your documentation as early in your membership as possible. TRS cannot process any withdrawal-related requests (e.g., loans) or calculate your retirement benefits if we do not have proof of your date of birth.

The following items are considered acceptable date-of-birth documentation:

• Birth certificate;
• Passport (book or card);
• Naturalization document; OR
• Driver’s license or non-driver ID card from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida.

If none of the above is available, you can submit two of the following:

• Driver's license or non-driver ID card from other states not listed above, or any learner’s permit;
• Certificate of military record;
• Report of Confidential Social Security Benefit Information (Form SSA2458); or
• Other government-issued identification

Documentation must not be expired. Photocopies of all documents are acceptable.

Please note that any date-of-birth documentation in a language other than English must be accompanied by a translation. Birth certificates from Puerto Rico are only valid with issue dates from July 1, 2010, or after.

You may upload your date-of-birth documentation in the secure area of our website or mail it to TRS.

Please submit your documentation as early in your membership as possible. TRS cannot process any withdrawal-related requests (e.g., loans) or calculate your retirement benefits if we do not have proof of your date of birth.