HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 4-26

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

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

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.