(Revised 11/02 ML #2829)
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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 natural disaster declared by the Governor; 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.
