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Section 3: EAP Eligibility 3.1 Who can get EAP benefits? EAP benefits are available to households with a combined annual income at or below 60% of State Median income (see Section 8.3). In order to be eligible for EAP benefits under this program, an applicant must maintain residency and active utility service within the state of Indiana. If the client moves out of the state or otherwise fails to maintain active services prior to the transmittal being accepted by the utility provider, the benefits may be rescinded. Any household that has a pending writ of possession for eviction is not eligible to receive benefits. 3.2 Who is Part of the Household? Anyone living in the household continuously for the past three (3) months must be listed on the application, except as provided in 3.3. Below are some clarifications about who is considered a household member. Marriages: If a household member marries during the three (3) months prior to application, their spouse should be included as a household member on the application. The spouse’s income is counted during the period of time that the couple was living together. Income that the spouse earned before the couple was living together should not be included. Adopted Children: Children who have been adopted must be counted as a part of the household. Assistance or stipends received for those children should not be counted as household income. Births: Household members born any time during the three (3) months prior to the date of application must be counted as members of the household for the entire three (3) months. If a household member is pregnant, the unborn child can be considered part of the household, regardless of the projected date of birth. The household will be awarded points under the vulnerable population category based on this child. It is the applicant’s responsibility to report their pregnancy at the time of application. A pregnancy that begins or is discovered after the date of application is not eligible to be added to the application. Joint Custody: A child who is subject to joint custody between their parents/guardians may be listed in either, or both, the parents/guardian’s household. Roommates: Any roommates or housemates must be counted as household members if they are living in the household at the time of application, even if they are not related to other household members or are not direct parties to a lease or mortgage. Their income must be calculated as part of the household income. Any rent collected directly by any other member of the household to be given to the property owner should not be counted