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DEO LIHEAP Policies and Procedures Manual Page 43

.07 Tribal Members If an applicant is a member of a tribe that receives LIHEAP funding directly from HHS and resides on reservation land, the subrecipients are not required to provide utility assistance benefits. The only tribe in Florida that receives funding directly from HHS is the Poarch Creek Band Indian Tribe in Northwest Florida. Households in Escambia County that are members of this tribe that receives a direct grant cannot receive assistance from a subrecipient. If a tribe does not receive benefits directly from HHS, tribal applicants must be served in the same manner as other applicants by the subrecipient within the geographic area. .08 Government Subsidized Housing If the applicant lives in government subsidized housing, the subrecipient must determine if all or part of their utility costs are paid directly or indirectly by the government and take the following actions: A. The applicant is not eligible for assistance if their home heating and cooling costs are totally included in their rent and they have no obligation to pay any portion of the costs. B. For Crisis Assistance Only: If the applicant receives an energy subsidy through Section Eight or a Public Housing Authority, then the subrecipient must subtract the amount of the subsidy available to the applicant during the period covered by the utility bill from the allowable LIHEAP crisis benefit calculated for the household. C. The applicant is eligible for non-crisis, home energy assistance with no deductions at the same level as other applicants. D. If an applicant is receiving rent supplements through HUD or Section Eight, the subrecipient must obtain a copy of the applicant’s rental agreement/lease to determine if energy assistance is included or a separate expense from the monthly rent obligation. A copy of the lease must be placed in the client file. F. The subrecipient may approve applicants who move from ineligible housing to eligible housing. The subrecipient must first receive verification of the move. applicants who move are responsible for any unpaid balance due the vendor from the energy account at the ineligible address.