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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 4.00 Applications

Effective 09/01/2023

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● LIHEAP customers may apply for ECIP during this period, using a CAA Crisis form if the customer has already completed a LIHEAP application for the current program year, or a full LIHEAP application if one has not already been submitted. ● Should a LIHEAP customer be denied assistance, they may remit another application, if circumstances change, as a new application may lead to an award of benefits. A new application may be submitted multiple times throughout the year. A signed and dated application is an attestation by the applicant that the changed circumstances are true. ● An application must be approved or denied, and the LIHEAP customer and utility (when applicable), notified in writing, by phone, or via the vendor website, of eligibility by the CAA within a maximum of 30 calendar days following the date that the completed application is submitted.

● The new LIHWAP water assistance program is considered a crisis component of the LIHEAP program and follows the LIHEAP Crisis Program policies and procedures except where otherwise noted in Section 15.00 of this manual. NOTE: A household does not have to apply for or receive LIHEAP benefits in order to qualify for and receive LIHWAP benefits, though eligibility for one program ensures eligibility for the other provided the household can demonstrate an energy or water burden.

4.13 ECIP/Crisis Assistance Outside of Heating Season ● May 1 – September 30 ● LIHEAP customers may apply for ECIP/Crisis Assistance and/or the Iowa Weatherization Program during this period, using the Universal ECIP Crisis form if the customer has already completed a LIHEAP application for the current program year, or a full LIHEAP application if one has not already been submitted. ● LIHEAP customers must apply for Weatherization through their local CAA.

4.20 Application Methods Applications may be made in-person or by remote method, which includes but is not limited to: mail, email, fax, online, and by telephone. Agencies cannot require that an application is made in-person. Online application submission must be offered by each agency.

Applications require the customer’s signature. In some cases, such as when taking an application by phone, the customer signature cannot be obtained. In these cases, the worker taking the application is to read the Certification Statement (at the end of the application) to the applicant. If the applicant agrees that the information submitted is true, a note is to be made why the signature cannot be obtained. The worker’s name is to be noted as well (in the signature or comments field). Agencies must make a good faith, reasonable effort to obtain the customer’s original signature.

One application, known as the Intake Form (see the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa) is used for determining eligibility for the Regular Assistance LIHEAP benefit. All LIHEAP customers applying for this program will simultaneously be making application for the Iowa Weatherization Assistance Program.

CAAs may use the Application/Intake Form or an agency form when LIHEAP customers apply for ECIP (crisis benefits).

If a LIHEAP customer forgets required documentation at home, it is acceptable for the LIHEAP customer to take a picture of the required documentation with their phone or scan it and send it to the agency. In some cases, LIHEAP customers can upload the documentation directly to their electronic file.

To receive benefits, an application must be completed, eligibility determined, and program funds must be available before any payments may be made.