4-26 Verification of Preferences

• A. Key Requirements

Preferences claimed by applicants must be verified. Owners may:

1. Verify qualifications for preferences at the time the application is submitted if the tenant is placed on the waiting list; or

2. Verify qualifications for preferences when a unit becomes available.

• B. Acceptable Verification Methods

  1. Verification of displacement. The applicant must provide documentation of government displacement or displacement as a result of a presidentially declared disaster. Acceptable documentation includes

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Section 4: Selecting Tenants from the Waiting List copies of local government condemnation or displacement notices or government notices indicating that an applicant is eligible for disaster relief benefits. If these documents are not available, the owner may accept a letter (on appropriate letterhead) from a government organization confirming that the applicant is being displaced by government action or a presidentially declared disaster. If written documents cannot be obtained, the owner may verify the displacement by phone with the local government office, or a disaster relief office, and make a notation in the file as to the date of the oral verification.

2. Verification of military status. The applicant may provide a current military identification card or a letter on appropriate letterhead confirming current military status. The owner must collect the documentation for the head of household, spouse, or co-head.

3. Verification of income (to determine ranking status for a Section 236 project with RAP assistance). The owner must verify the family income as described in Chapter 5, Section 3, so the type of subsidy for which the family is eligible can be determined.

4. Verification of other preferences.

   • a. State and local preferences. Verification will depend on the type of preference that is adopted. For example, a preference for veterans may be verified with any of the following:

     • (1) A letter from the Veterans Administration (VA);

     • (2) A document indicating that the applicant receives VA benefits; or

     • (3) Military discharge documents.

   • b. Residency preferences. Documentation of the residential address within the municipality may be obtained from copies of utility bills (electricity or gas), lease agreements, or other documents that include a residential address and the name of the head of household, co-head, or spouse. Persons who are planning to live in the municipality as a result of current or planned employment may provide a letter from a current or future employer or a current work identification badge with the office address.

   • c. Working families. Documentation of employment may include a letter from an employer or payroll check stubs.

• d. Disability. Documentation of disability must confirm only the existence of a disability and not the nature or extent of the disability. Verification of disability may be provided by form or letter, from a physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, or other licensed health care professional. In addition, verification of disability may also be provided by documentation verifying receipt

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Section 4: Selecting Tenants from the Waiting List of Social Security disability payments (i.e., award letter indicating disability payments are provided).

• e. Age. Documentation of age is used to confirm that applicants claiming an elderly preference are 62 years of age or older. Acceptable documentation may include birth certificates or social security or military documents that show the applicant’s birth date.