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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 4.00 Applications

Effective 09/01/2023

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Household members assisted by this program may not have been already assisted in Iowa for the current fiscal year. Individuals cannot be listed on more than one approved application each fiscal year, unless an extenuating circumstance has been approved by the Iowa HHS/CAA Unit. In cases where two different households include the same child on the application, such as in the case of a divorce or guardianship situation, the child(ren) can be counted as members of both households. This replaces the previous rule requiring a 50/50 shared custody arrangement. 4.30 Who May Sign an Application Individuals 18 years of age or over, or legally emancipated minors, other than the head of household may sign an application for various reasons. ● The head of household is not able to apply in person. ● A person holds power-of-attorney or proxy for the head of household. o When a caregiver organization is a proxy for multiple individuals, the specific staff, along with the organization’s name, is to be listed as the proxy. o Proxy statements are to be completed each program year, using the Proxy Form, which can be found on the Members Only Page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa. Power-of- attorney documentation may be accepted in lieu of the Proxy Form. This would only need to be updated if the applicant indicates a change in status. ● An ineligible member can be designated as the head of household, apply and sign the application on behalf of the LIHEAP customer household (see Section 7.00 for more information). ● A conservator may sign an application on behalf of the LIHEAP customer.

4.40 Automatically Eligible (AE) Households Verification of income must be waived for two consecutive years (if household became an AE in FY21, re- verification must occur in FY24) when the household meets all the following criteria:

1. The household was approved and income documentation obtained within the last three program years, and major sources of income are unchanged, except when a cost of living adjustment has been made.

2. At least one member of the household is 60 years of age or older or is disabled.

3. Major income sources are fixed benefits such as SSA (Social Security Administration retirement benefits), SSI (Social Security Income), SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), VA (Veterans Administration), and pensions. Though no longer counted towards household income amounts, social security payments received by household members under age 18 can still qualify the household as AE eligible when that is the only source of income for the household. In this instance, mark it as a source of income, but with an amount of $0.00.

4. Interest and dividend bearing accounts (this includes bank accounts, cash on hand, CDs, and other investments that can be accessed without penalty to the household) are $50,000, or less.

A returned AE letter, signed by the LIHEAP customer attesting to the above criteria (no other criteria needs to be submitted by the household) must be included in every file. The AE letter should include the following four questions:

1. Have you or anyone in your household had a change in the amount or type of income received?

2. Do you have at least one member of your household who is at least 60 years of age or a household member who has a disabling condition?

3. Do you have savings over $50,000?

4. Have you moved within the last year or has anyone moved into or out of your household?