3-25 Introduction

Applicants may be assisted only after it is determined that they meet the eligibility criteria for the program and the project. This requirement is intended to ensure that an available subsidy is provided to families that are eligible under the program rules and not provided to ineligible families. Determining eligibility requires that the owner verify information that is provided by the applicant on the application form and in subsequent interviews. In general, applicants are not required to disclose their status with respect to any protected basis; however, if the family requests a reasonable accommodation based upon a disability, the family must disclose its disability status.

Chapter 5, Section 3, of this handbook provides general information and tips on verifying all types of information, including methods to avoid accepting tampered documents and detailed information on verifying income. This section addresses verification of eligibility factors, other than income, about which information must be collected in order to determine eligibility.