(Revised 10/1/20 ML #3588)
An applicant household may have a heating emergency (because of being without fuel or having received a "shut-off notice") under these circumstances:
- During hours when the county social office is not open;
- During a state or federal disaster declaration; or
- When eligibility cannot immediately be established due to lack of verification.
For dealing with cases described in '1' and '2,' each county must have a workable plan by which temporary assistance is available for health or life threatening crises. This may involve an arrangement with local police or any other agency which is accessible 24 hours per day and can be publicized as available for after-hour emergencies. In these cases, the county social service board or its designated agency may authorize, without a signed application or verifications, the purchase of the minimum amount of fuel practical under the circumstances.
In an emergency under the conditions described in '3,' the county social service board must attempt to secure the health and safety of the household short of authorizing the purchase of fuel. Measures could include arranging for the family to stay with relatives temporarily or locating emergency services provided by local churches, for example. If all such measures have been exhausted, the county social service office may authorize purchase of the minimum amount of fuel practical to alleviate the emergency.
In all of the above situations, the county social service board must assist the applicant to obtain the verifications necessary as soon as possible. If found ineligible, the household must refund all LIHEAP funds expended or committed.
Emergency Disaster Responses
Additional enhancements to the LIHEAP emergency program may be implemented in the event of state or federal disaster declarations or other emergencies as determined by the department.
To streamline the emergency process and ensure an effective and timely response to disaster-type emergencies, any or all of the following changes may be implemented as part of an emergency disaster response:
- Telephonic emergency applications with a verbal signature will be allowed. Worker must indicate applicant’s name and notate “Verbal Signature” in the applicant signature line of the emergency application.
- Client statement will be allowed as an acceptable source of verification of income and expenses on the emergency application if currently acceptable sources of verification are not readily available. Worker must be sure to document the verification source used.
- The seasonal maximum amount for supplemental fuel may be increased to accommodate the emergency. State office approval should be obtained for amounts that exceed the maximum amount.
- If additional funding is available to the program, a temporary disaster assistance program may be considered. The temporary program may include but is not limited to:
1) Extension of the heating season,
2) Additional assistance with heating costs,
3) Assistance with non-heating electric utility costs, or
4) A combination of the above options.
