What this means
m21-1:XIII.ii.3.A explains certificate of preference for public housing. In plain terms, the official guidance says local public housing authorities establish the criteria for preference in admissions to public housing. It also addresses use the table below to determine when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:XIII.ii.3.A as an internal VA audit trail for certificate of preference for public housing, not as a promise of a particular result. Compare the actions recorded in your claim file or decision notice with this source-specific detail: Local public housing authorities establish the criteria for preference in admissions to public housing. Use the table below to determine when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing. If the record does not show the expected action, identify the missing step precisely when asking VA or an accredited representative to review the file.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: when certification may be required for preference for public housing
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: what the certificate for preference for public housing must contain, and
Important limits
m21-1:XIII.ii.3.A is primarily internal workflow guidance about certificate of preference for public housing. It can help identify what VA was expected to document, but it does not by itself create a claimant deadline, a freestanding entitlement, or a guaranteed remedy. The source also states: Local public housing authorities establish the criteria for preference in admissions to public housing. Use the following wording on the certificate, unless a variation is required by local criteria:
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Certificate of Preference for Public Housing
- m21-1:XIII.ii.3.A
- Certificate Preference Public
- Housing
- Certificate Preference Public Housing
- establishment criteria preference admissions
- when certification required preference
- when issue certificate preference
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the topic " Certificate of Preference for Public Housing."
1. Certificate of Preference for Public Housing
Introduction
This topic contains information on certificates for preference for public housing, including
- establishment of criteria for preference in admissions to public housing
- when certification may be required for preference for public housing
- when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing
- filing the request for preference for public housing
- who may issue a certificate for preference for public housing
- what the certificate for preference for public housing must contain, and
- wording on the certificate for preference for public housing.
Change Date
February 19, 2019
XIII.ii.3.A.1.a. Establishment of Criteria for Preference in Admissions to Public Housing
Local public housing authorities establish the criteria for preference in admissions to public housing.
XIII.ii.3.A.1.b. When Certification May Be Required for Preference for Public Housing
A public housing authority may require Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) certification if the established criteria allow preference to Veterans or their dependents because of service-connected (SC) disability or death.
XIII.ii.3.A.1.c. When to Issue a Certificate for Preference for Public Housing
Use the table below to determine when to issue a certificate for preference for public housing.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| If … | Then … |
|---|---|
| service connection (SC) for the disability or cause of death has been established | issue a certificate at the request of the public housing authority person seeking preference, or his/her representative. Note: If issued at the request of a representative, address and forward the certificate to the person seeking preference. |
| a claim for benefits has not been filed, and no determination of SC for disability or death has been made | furnish a statement that no determination of SC for disability or death has been made, and explain that in the absence of a claim, VA cannot furnish a certificate. |
XIII.ii.3.A.1.d. Filing the Request for Preference for Public Housing
Do not add the request for, or a copy of, the certificate for preference for public housing to the claims folder.
XIII.ii.3.A.1.e. Who May Issue a Certificate for Preference for Public Housing
A Veterans Service Center Manager, Pension Management Center Manager, or a designee may issue the certificate.
XIII.ii.3.A.1.f. What the Certificate for Preference for Public Housing Must Contain
The certificate for preference for public housing must contain the
- name of the Veteran
- VA claims folder number, and
- date of preparation.
XIII.ii.3.A.1.g. Wording on the Certificate for Preference for Public Housing
Use the following wording on the certificate, unless a variation is required by local criteria:
Disability certification:
“ This is to certify that medical records acceptable to the Department of Veterans Affairs disclose the present existence of service-connected disability or disabilities for [name of Veteran] based on active service in the [branch of service] from [date] to [date].”
Death certification:
“ This is to certify that the records of the Department of Veterans Affairs disclose that the death of [name of Veteran] was due to active service in [branch of service] from [date] to [date].”