TEAPOTS Questions & Answers

Information by State  Print version

For more information about TEAPOTS read the responses to our most Frequently Asked Questions:

	What is TEAPOTS?
	How does TEAPOTS work?
	Why does the system time-out or terminate after a few minutes?
	What type of help is available?
	How often do I have to change my password?
	How do I exit TEAPOTS?
	Where is the Impromptu Screen Mapping document?
	Can more than one investigator be assigned to a case?
	Which browser is supported by HUD (for use in TEAPOTS)?
	Is TEAPOTS Section 508 (handicap access to automated systems) compliant, and what assistive technology software is used?
	How do authorized users obtain access to TEAPOTS?
	How does an authorized user obtain edit rights (write authority) to cases?
	What functions are limited to assigned System Administrators or Managers?
	What are the basic user rights available in TEAPOTS?

HUD's Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office, "Title VIII Automated Paperless Office Tracking System" (TEAPOTS) is a comprehensive automated system used in the investigation and tracking of complaints and compliance reviews.

1. It is a real time web (Internet/Intranet) accessed national system and data-base residing in HUD Headquarters, in Washington, D.C.

2. It is accessible from all authorized HUD offices and HUD certified Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) agency (business partner) offices involved in the investigation of Cases or Compliance Reviews.

3. It is used to investigate and track Title VIII of the Fair Housing Act, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

4. It currently contains only minimal tracking functions for authorities other than Title VIII, while the Title VIII functionality is an extensive almost paperless office function.

5. The system prompt users through the investigation process, provides on-line help, management reports, and system generated output documents. Return to top

How does TEAPOTS work?

Why does the system time-out or terminate after a few minutes?

The system times out after 45 minutes of idle time. In order to keep a session active, you must perform a system function (e.g. clicking on a link or button, etc.) at least every forty-five (45) minutes. If you attempt to perform a function after your session has expired, you will be redirected to the Log In page.Return to top

What type of help is available?

The On-Line Help function is available on the Main Menu of the TEAPOTS application. The TEAPOTS User Manual is available on the FHEO web page as well.

All other problems, including system access, should be directed to your System Administrators, or directly to User Assistance if user is a HUD FHEO staff member.Return to top

How often do I have to change my password?

Your password must be changed every 90 days. If forgotten or expired, contact your System Administrator or the next level FHEO HUB or HQ FHEO System Administrator.Return to top

How do I exit TEAPOTS?

To properly log out of TEAPOTS, click the Exit System button on the Main Menu. Do not use the X button on your screen to close the TEAPOTS application, or use the Back function to return to a previous screen, which may damage case data or not properly save data. Return to top

Where is the Impromptu Screen Mapping document?

The Impromptu Screen Mapping document is available on the FHEO web page. Return to top

Can more than one investigator be assigned to a case?

No. The system is NOT designed to identify a second investigator on a case once the first investigator is assigned. Return to top

Which browser is supported by HUD (for use in TEAPOTS)?

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 is supported by HUD.Return to top

Is TEAPOTS Section 508 (handicap access to automated systems) compliant, and what assistive technology software is used?

TEAPOTS is compliant to the Section 508 Rehabilitation Act. The HUD-standard assistive technology software used by TEAPOTS users are JAWS for Windows (4.0) screen reading software for the sight impaired user, and DRAGON Naturally Speaking (5.0) voice recognition software for the hand impaired user. Necessary impaired user hardware is provided by HUD on a person by person basis.

Note: Business partner FHAP agencies are responsible for acquiring their own impaired software (and hardware).Return to top

How do authorized users obtain access to TEAPOTS?

Each major HUD FHEO and counsel office, and business partner certified FHAP agency has an assigned System Administrator(s) to manage user access, provide appropriate rights and reset user passwords. Basically, the HUD HQ FHEO System Administrators provide access and rights to all System Administrators in the 10 regional FHEO offices who in turn provide access to other offices' System Administrators (counsel, FHAP) who then provide access to their own users. Return to top

How does an authorized user obtain edit rights (write authority) to cases?

Except for users assigned as System Administrators or who are given Manager rights, user rights must be assigned in each individual case i.e. users do NOT have rights in a specific case unless they are given rights to it.

1. The user adding a case is automatically assigned (and retains) rights as the assessor/intake analyst.

2. He/she then assigns the case to an investigator as directed by management or assigns the case to a manager who assigns the case to an investigator. That investigator retains edit rights to the case.

3. Users added as Conciliators or HUD case Monitors for FHAP cases also pick up edit rights upon assignment.

4. Other users must be given rights in addition to the above by being further assigned the case through the Case Management function, but the system must show the case as in the user's office for investigation or review. Return to top

What functions are limited to assigned System Administrators or Managers?

The following administrative functions are NOT accessible to users who are not assigned as either System Administrator or Manager: Adding users, assigning and modifying basic user rights, resetting user passwords, transferring cases, running management reports. FHAP agency rights are limited to their own cases.Return to top

What are the basic user rights available in TEAPOTS?

A user can be given one of the following basic rights: Read Only, Date Entry (edit), System Administrator (edit), Manager (edit), or Suspended. All rights are specific to an office and user name/ID combination, except for HUD higher level office system administrators who have expanded rights. FHAP agencies can NOT see another agency's cases.