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Tennessee Housing Development Agency 2025 LIHEAP Policy Manual for Regular and Crisis Assistance 15
2.1.1 Pre-Application Intake for Priority Enrollment Applicants An optional pre-application intake for Priority Enrollment (PE) applicants seeking Regular or Crisis benefits may begin no more than 60 days before the general application period unless otherwise authorized. Priority Enrollment Applicants include: • Elderly (age 60 or older), receiving Social Security benefits • Disabled, receiving SSI or SSDI benefits, or • Applicants with a completed Verification of Disability Form. During the PE period, only eligible applicants meeting the vulnerability criteria above may apply. All others must wait for the regular program opening. Any application submitted before the PE period opens must be denied and returned to the applicant, with a notice encouraging reapplication after the official opening. Applications submitted during the PE period will be assigned a date of November 1, 2025.
2.2 Accommodations Special accommodations will be made available for homebound clients, individuals with disabilities, and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients. Application Availability and Mailing: Applications must be accessible at all subgrantee offices, outreach locations, and mailed free of charge to clients upon request. Mailed applications must be date-stamped upon receipt and include a copy of the applicant’s government-issued ID. The envelope must also be uploaded to SmartSimple for verification under “Other”uploads tab of the software. Subgrantees are responsible for ensuring that the THDA LIHEAP Application and forms are translated for applicants with LEP. Requests for translation assistance can be made by emailing LIHEAP@thda.org.
2.3 Acceptable Forms of Verification for Veterans or Active Military For Veterans: The Department of Defense issues DD-214 or DD-256 forms to verify a veteran’s discharge status. Additional forms are acceptable depending on the discharge date, such as WD AGO forms, NAVPERS, and more. A state-issued ID or driver’s license with "VETERAN" listed, or VA benefits records, are also valid. Applicants dishonorably discharged cannot claim veteran status