Do You Need an RFI?
A Housing Transition Supports PAR is received. The UHAT is included, but the Housing Support Plan is missing.
What is the next step?
Send an RFI requesting the missing Housing Support Plan that supports the requested Housing Transition Supports.
If a required document is missing and the provider can supply it, RFI is the appropriate next step.
A Housing-Related Deposit request is missing the lease.
What should the RFI say?
Correct response:
“Please submit the lease supporting the Housing-Related Deposit request.”
Ask for the exact missing document.
Only the Housing Support Plan is missing. Everything else is present.
What should you request?
Only the Housing Support Plan.
Do not create extra work by asking for documents already received.
Improve this RFI: “Need assessment.”
Better RFI:
“Please submit the completed UHAT/Housing Assessment supporting the requested HSS service.”
Next step:
Send the clarified RFI and pause determination until the response is received or the RFI timeframe ends.
The Member was not eligible on the PAR receipt date.
RFI or not?
Not RFI. Likely Administrative Denial.
Eligibility is a threshold requirement.
The Member was not eligible on the PAR receipt date.
Would you send an RFI?
No. This is not a missing-document issue. The likely next step is Administrative Denial because eligibility on the PAR receipt date is not met.
Do not use an RFI to fix an administrative requirement that was not met.
The Housing Support Plan says, “Member needs help,” but does not explain why Housing Transition Supports are needed.
What should the RFI request?
Request clarification or an updated Housing Support Plan explaining the Member’s housing barriers and why Housing Transition Supports are appropriate.
The issue is not just missing paperwork. The issue is missing rationale.
The UHAT is complete and supports the request, but the lease is missing.
Should you request another UHAT?
No. Request only the missing lease.
RFIs should be targeted.
Improve this RFI: “Missing info.”
Better RFI:
“Please submit the Housing Support Plan for the requested Housing Transition Supports. This is needed to verify the service is supported by the Member’s assessed housing needs.”
Next step:
Track the RFI and do not finalize the determination while it remains active.
The required Housing Support Plan is missing.
RFI or not?
RFI.
Missing required information that can be supplied should be requested.
The PAR requests Housing Transition Supports, but the Housing Support Plan describes ongoing help to remain housed.
What is the next step?
Pause review and request clarification, likely through RFI, because the requested service and supporting documentation do not match.
A reviewer needs one clear story before making a determination.
The PAR, lease, and landlord invoice all show different deposit amounts.
What should the RFI request?
Request clarification of the correct deposit amount and documentation that supports the amount being requested.
The provider should know exactly what needs to be corrected.
The lease is uploaded and legible, but the deposit amount is unclear.
What should the RFI ask for?
Clarification of the deposit amount, not another full lease unless the lease itself needs correction.
Ask for the gap, not the whole file.
Improve this RFI: “Doesn’t match.”
Better RFI:
“Please clarify whether the provider is requesting Housing Transition Supports or Housing Sustainment Services. The PAR requests HTS, but the Housing Support Plan describes support to remain housed.”
Next step:
Wait for clarification before selecting the determination pathway.
The PAR says HTS. The Housing Support Plan supports Sustainment.
RFI or not?
Likely RFI for clarification.
The reviewer cannot make a defensible decision until the service request and documentation align.
The PAR requests a $2,000 deposit. The landlord document shows $1,500.
What should the reviewer do next?
Send an RFI requesting clarification of the correct deposit amount and updated supporting documentation if needed.
Conflicting information must be resolved before approval or denial.
A reviewer writes, “Please send more information.”
Is this a good RFI?
No. The next step is to rewrite the RFI so it clearly states what information is needed and why.
Better RFI: “Please submit documentation explaining why Housing Transition Supports are being requested, including the Member’s current housing barriers and transition needs.”
A vague RFI creates delays and rework.
The documents are complete, but the move-in date is inconsistent.
What is the next step?
Send an RFI requesting clarification of the correct move-in date and updated documentation if needed.
The RFI should be narrow and tied to the review issue.
Improve this RFI: “Need lease.”
Better RFI:
“Please submit the signed lease supporting the Housing-Related Deposit request, including the rental address, lease term, monthly rent, and deposit amount.”
Next step:
Review the lease once received and confirm it matches the PAR and deposit documentation.
Another authorization exists for the same Member, same service, and overlapping dates.
RFI or not?
Not automatically. First review whether it is a duplicate under the workflow. The next step may be duplicate resolution or Administrative Denial, depending on the facts.
Do not send an RFI when the issue can be resolved through internal review.
One document says, “Member is homeless.” Another says, “Member moved into housing last month.”
What is the appropriate next step?
Send an RFI asking the provider to clarify the Member’s current housing status and update supporting documentation as needed.
Never guess which document is correct.
Rewrite this RFI: “Need documentation.”
“Please submit the Housing Support Plan supporting the requested Housing Transition Supports. The plan is needed to verify the requested service is supported by the Member’s assessed housing needs.”
A good RFI tells the provider what is needed and how it connects to the review.
A reviewer needs one clarification but asks the provider to resubmit the entire packet.
What is the risk?
It creates unnecessary delay, provider burden, duplicate documents, and possible confusion in the record.
More documentation is not always better. Correct documentation is better.
What should every strong RFI answer?
A strong RFI should answer:
A good RFI moves the case forward. It should not create a guessing game.
The provider asks, “What else do you need?” You only need the signed lease.
What should you do?
Request only the signed lease and explain that it is needed to support the Housing-Related Deposit request.
Clear, limited RFIs protect turnaround time and reduce provider frustration.