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Tennessee Housing Development Agency 2025 LIHEAP Policy Manual for Regular and Crisis Assistance 11
• Conducting outreach and energy conservation education • Accepting and reviewing applications • Determining household eligibility • Maintaining fiscal records and client case files • Processing appeals and provide customer service • Ensuring timely payment of benefits • Entering all program components for timely submission of required reports Prudent Person Principle
The policies and procedures included in the LIHEAP Manual are rules for determining eligibility, delivering benefits, and administering the program. It is impossible to foresee and give examples for all situations; therefore, staff is encouraged to use reason and apply good judgement in making decisions when addressing the specific needs and requests of a household or an unusual situation. Decision-making by staff based on the best information available, program knowledge, experience and expertise in a particular situation is referred to as the Prudent Person Principle. Prudence may also include discussing specific policy interpretation with the Sub-grantee’s monitor.
Allocation Formula LIHEAP funds are distributed to subgrantees using a data-driven allocation formula based on need. The formula incorporates: • County- and agency-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) • A rolling three-year average of the most recent SAIPE data to ensure consistency and minimize fluctuations The SAIPE program provides updated income and poverty estimates for counties and school districts nationwide and is used to allocate federal program resources equitably. More information: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/data/tools.html Agencies will be able to determine allocation amounts for their specific counties.
Eligibility Policies and Procedures Application Overview THDA requires a single application to determine eligibility for all components of LIHEAP. Households may receive: • One LIHEAP benefit per program year