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Tennessee Housing Development Agency 2025 LIHEAP Policy Manual for Regular and Crisis Assistance 9

Natural Disaster - An event such as a tornado or flood, officially declared by the Governor or President, that disrupts housing or energy access.

Mixed-Status Family – A mixed household within the context of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), generally refers to a household that includes both members who are eligible for LIHEAP benefits (e.g. US citizens or qualified non-citizens who meet income guidelines) and those who are not.

Outreach - Is the process of informing the public about LIHEAP. According to the LIHEAP statute, Assurance 3, such information should be: Designed to assure that eligible households, especially households with elderly individuals or disabled individuals, or both, and households with high home energy burdens, are made aware of the assistance available" under the program.

Owner - A household that owns or is buying their home and pays directly for energy costs.

Prioritization - The process of ranking applications based on vulnerability, income, and energy burden to determine service order.

Poverty Level - Income eligibility standards based on 60% of State Median Income or 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, as updated annually.

Public Awareness - General promotional efforts to inform the public about LIHEAP services and program availability.

Subgrantee - An organization contracted by THDA to provide direct LIHEAP services.

Supplies - Operational materials and equipment related to program delivery, such as computers, software, or printed forms.

Tenant - A resident of public or subsidized housing responsible for some portion of their energy bill, or a household that rents and is responsible for paying home energy costs, either directly or as part of rent.

Veteran - An individual with active U.S. military service who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Vulnerable Household - A household including at least one member who is elderly, disabled, a child 5 years old and under, or a veteran.