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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 151 Households that are responsible for a heating or cooling cost that is separate from their rent or mortgage are eligible for the HCSUA, including the following:  Households that receive energy assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of at least $20.01 in the last 12 months  Households that receive an energy assistance payment of at least $20.01 under LIHEAP Heat and Eat in the last 12 months (see Section 12.7.3.1.1, Heat and Eat)  Households that receive direct or indirect energy assistance payments other than LIHEAP, such as the US Department of Housing and Urban Development utility reimbursements, which are expected to pay for some out-of-pocket heating or cooling expenses during the certification period  Residents of private rental housing who are billed monthly for heating or cooling costs by their landlords based on individual use or a flat rate  Residents in a public or private housing unit that has a central utility meter and charges residents only for excess heating and cooling costs A household incurring heating or cooling costs on an intermittent basis but otherwise eligible for the HCSUA may continue to receive it between billing periods. 12.7.3.1.1 Heat and Eat ESA and the District Department of Energy and Environment partner to provide certain SNAP households a $20.01 yearly energy assistance benefit through LIHEAP Heat and Eat. This annual benefit is provided to SNAP households that do not already qualify for the HCSUA and for which the use of the HCSUA will result in increased SNAP benefit.

The system determines if the household is eligible for the Heat and Eat benefit based on the following factors:  If the household will receive the maximum allotment without applying the HCSUA, the system will not provide a Heat and Eat benefit. The household will receive the maximum SNAP allotment.  If the Heat and Eat benefit would increase the household’s monthly allotment, the system will trigger a Heat and Eat benefit and provide the HCSUA to the household. The process to determine the Heat and Eat benefit occurs in the same manner for applications and recertifications. Households that receive the Heat and Eat do not need to provide verification of utility expenses. However, ESA must verify that the household received a LIHEAP Heat and Eat payment within the last 12 months prior to providing the HCSUA.

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