- Participants should always use the substitute address when interacting with a state or local government entity, whether on their own behalf or on behalf of their children. Participants should never disclose their confidential address, unless required by law to do so.
- Participants should always notify the state or local government official or entity with whom they are interacting that they are a program participant and that their residential address is confidential.
- Participants should always be prepared to provide officials with a copy of their program participation certificate.
- If a Participant has filed paperwork with a state or local government entity using their confidential address within 30 days prior to their application for program participation, the participant should immediately contact the state or local agency to notify them of the Participant's participation certification, provide a copy of the Participant's Certificate of Program Participation, and request that the participant's confidential address be protected.
- If a Participant is asked to verify their residential address for purposes of enrolling either themselves or their minor children in a public school, the Participant should provide the school with a copy of their Certificate of Program Participation and your substitute address. Then, direct school officials to contact the Office of the Secretary of State for further verifications in accordance with T.C.A. §§ 40-38-602, 606.
- Participants should provide their Public Utility Service Providers (electric, water, and gas, etc.) with a copy of their Certificate of Program Participation and their substitute address, and then request that the Public Utility Service Provider keep their residential address confidential. These requests should be presented to the Public Utility Service Provider's records custodian.