(Revised 10/1/17 ML #3512)
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Households are required to report and verify changes on a timely basis. Changes are considered "timely" when they are reported and verified within 10 days from the date the change occurs. The following changes are mandatory changes to report:
- Loss/addition of a household member. (Income of the new household member will need to be reported and verified.)
- Household moves to different home.
- Change in the type of heat.
- Change in rent subsidy status.
The household will be informed of the change reporting requirements in the approval notice. They may contact the eligibility worker by telephone, letter, or other type of communication to report the changes.
When mandatory changes are reported, income should be reviewed. A change in income may result in an adjustment to the LIHEAP share percentage.
NOTE: Although benefit levels will not be adjusted under the Heating Assistance Program if the client reports only an income change, a significant decrease in income may result in an Emergency Assistance application. (See 50-05.)
To prevent a reported change from being overlooked, the household should be instructed to attach a note requesting that the information reported for any of the other programs be shared with the LIHEAP eligibility worker. All changes must have the required verifications attached.
