Understanding TEFA Application Prioritization
- Accessible Education
- Jan 31
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 31
How Disability Status, IEPs, and the Disability Certification Form Affect the School Voucher Lottery
If you're applying for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, understanding how the prioritization system works is crucial, especially when it comes to the role of disability documentation.
The Texas Comptroller’s office has released detailed guidance through three key documents:
Below is a clear breakdown of how applications are prioritized, when disability documentation matters, and when it doesn’t. Before diving into prioritization details, it’s important to clarify one common point of confusion: The TEFA Disability Certification Form does not increase the amount of funding a student receives. Its sole purpose is to establish priority placement in the TEFA lottery. Accessing any additional funding related to disability requires a separate process, specifically, a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) conducted by the local public school district, eligibility for special education under IDEA, and the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Disability documentation alone does not unlock additional funding.
How TEFA Prioritization Works: Disability Status, Income Limits, and the School Voucher Lottery
If TEFA applications exceed available funding, awards are determined through a four-tier lottery system.
Your tier placement depends on two factors:
Whether your child has a qualifying disability
Your household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
TEFA Priority Tiers (At a Glance)
Tier | Priority Level | Criteria |
Tier 1 | Highest Priority | Child has a disability AND household income is below 500% of FPL |
Tier 2 | High Priority | Household income below 200% of FPL |
Tier 3 | Medium Priority | Household income between 200% and 500% of FPL |
Tier 4 | Lowest Priority | Household income above 500% of FPL |
What Do These Income Levels Mean for Different Family Sizes?
The following table shows the annual household income thresholds used to determine TEFA tier placement, based on the 2025 Federal Poverty Level (48 contiguous states).
Note: If a child has a qualifying disability, they are placed in Tier 1 as long as household income falls within the Tier 2 or Tier 3 ranges (any income below the 500% FPL threshold).
Family Size | Tier 2 (Less than 200% FPL) | Tier 3 (200%–500% FPL) | Tier 4 (More than 500% FPL) |
2 | Less than $42,300 | $42,300 – $105,750 | More than $105,750 |
3 | Less than $53,300 | $53,300 – $133,250 | More than $133,250 |
4 | Less than $64,300 | $64,300 – $160,750 | More than $160,750 |
5 | Less than $75,300 | $75,300 – $188,250 | More than $188,250 |
6 | Less than $86,300 | $86,300 – $215,750 | More than $215,750 |
7 | Less than $97,300 | $97,300 – $243,250 | More than $243,250 |
8 | Less than $108,300 | $108,300 – $270,750 | More than $270,750 |
When Disability Status Affects TEFA Priority Tier Placement (Income Requirements Explained)
Here’s where the Disability Certification Form can make a major difference.
If both of the following are true:
Your child has a qualifying disability, and
Your household income is below 500% of FPL
You are placed in Tier 1, regardless of whether you would otherwise fall into Tier 2 or Tier 3.
Example
A family of four earning $100,000 would normally be in Tier 3. If their child has a documented qualifying disability, they move to Tier 1, a significant advantage if there is enough demand to trigger a lottery.
Important Limitation
If your household income exceeds 500% of FPL (more than $160,750 for a family of four):
Your child’s disability does not affect tier placement
You will be in Tier 4, regardless
The Disability Certification Form provides no prioritization benefit
When the TEFA Disability Certification Form Is Required and When an IEP or FIIE Is Enough
The Disability Certification Form is used only to secure Tier 1 placement.
The Form is NOT Required If:
Your child has a current IEP on file with the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
You can provide a former or current Texas IEP
You have an IEP from another state that can be verified
You have a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) from a Texas school district
Your household income exceeds 500% of FPL (Tier 4 regardless)
You DO Need the Form If:
Your child has a disability, but does not have one of the acceptable documents listed above
Your household income is below 500% of FPL, and you want to qualify for Tier 1
Important: Because TEFA is a new program and some implementation details are still evolving, families whose household income exceeds 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may want to consider having this documentation available anyway. Based on the current rules and guidance from the Comptroller’s Office, the Disability Certification Form should not be required for Tier 4 applicants. However, having it on hand may be a prudent safeguard in case of future clarifications or program adjustments.
If required, the Disability Certification Form must be submitted during the TEFA application window: February 4 – March 17.
TEFA Disability Certification Requirements: Qualifying Disabilities and Approved Professionals
The Disability Certification Form Instructions are clear; this is not a simple doctor’s note.
The Texas Comptroller has established strict guidelines governing:
Which disabilities qualify
Which licensed professionals are authorized to certify them
Key points to know:
The form aligns with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Both state and federal disability criteria apply
There are 13 recognized disability categories (The 14th category, listed as NCEC, will no longer be an eligibility category after the 25-26 school year)
Only professionals working within the scope of their licensure may sign
Some disabilities require multiple specialists to evaluate and sign a single unified form
In our The TEFA Disability Certification Form Explained post, you can learn more about:
Each disability category
The medical and educational criteria
Which professionals can sign for which condition
Help for Parents Navigating TEFA Disability Priority and Special Education Eligibility
For families seeking additional disability-based TEFA funding, the most confusing step is often understanding whether their child qualifies for special education services through a local public school district, especially when the child attends private school or is homeschooled.
We support families at every stage of the initial special education evaluation process. Families work with us whether they plan to pursue TEFA funding, or simply want to better understand their child’s special education rights, options, and documentation.
If you’d like a detailed overview of the different ways we help families, including full-service advocacy, hybrid support, and upcoming self-guided resources, you can read our in-depth guide to special education evaluations for private and home school families and TEFA support options here.
To explore all available services, visit our website, or if you’re feeling unsure about next steps, you can request a free consultation to talk through your family’s situation and determine what level of support makes sense. Subscribe and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
