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Tennessee Housing Development Agency 2025 LIHEAP Policy Manual for Regular and Crisis Assistance 30

• Eligibility Benefit Management System (EBMS) documentation: EBMS can verify income for household members and must be used to confirm both earned and unearned income. If household members are not listed in the EBMS, other acceptable forms of verification must be provided. All EBMS verification should fall within the current income timeframe (verified within the last twelve months). Subgrantees must print all applicable EBMS screens, clearly indicating both unearned and earned income. • Child support or alimony records: Documentation must be provided. including child support printout or monthly notice. Contact THDA for additional guidance if necessary. • Employer statements: Written, signed, and dated statements from employers on official company letterhead. Subgrantees cannot contact employers directly for verification of income. • Self-employed income verification: Copies of income tax returns or adjusted gross income after the cost of doing business. Tax returns from the previous year will be accepted until the April cutoff period, after which current returns are required unless an extension has been granted. • Self-employed documents: Well-maintained documents, such as ledgers or receipts, from self-employed individuals. • Social Security Administration (SSA) documentation: Award letters or other official proof of income from SSA, as well as bank statements with redacted account information. • Employer separation letter: A letter from the employer dated within the past 30 days, and a copy your last paycheck stub is acceptable. • Zero income verification: When all other methods of verifying zero income have been exhausted, a Verification of Income and Expenses Form must be completed and signed by the applicant and any household members claiming zero income. This form must include a reasonable explanation of how the household meets its basic needs, such as shelter, heat, utilities, and essential needs. If no reasonable explanation is provided, the application must be denied. • Social Security, Pension, and VA benefit verification: The most recent Social Security, Pension, or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit letter, or bank statements showing benefit deposits (with account numbers redacted).

2.17 Calculation of Energy Burden Here are examples of how to calculate energy burden: • Example 1: A household has a combined countable income of $1,015.45 per month and a monthly energy expense of $89.24.