Page 24

22

as household income. Adult Care: If an elderly individual or individual with disability lives in the applicant’s household and the applicant is paid to provide care to the individual, or if a caregiver resides full-time in the household of an elderly or disabled applicant, the caregiver and the care recipient would both be counted as household members. This is because both individuals would have a direct impact on the energy burden of the household. Any stipend received by the caregiver to reimburse or provide for care-related expenses would not be counted as household income. Any other income received by the caregiver, as well as any countable income received by the care recipient, must be counted as household income.

3.3 Who is Not Part of the Household? Households do not include people who are no longer residing in the household. Some examples of persons who are not counted are: Persons residing in homeless shelters, alcohol or drug treatment centers, battered women and children shelters, transitional dwellings, or group homes for the prior to application. Any income these persons receive should not be counted. Absent household members (out of the household for three (3) months or longer) is defined as any of the following: • An adult listed on the utility, lease, or mortgage as a co-applicant for credit purposes, but who does not physically reside in the household. • An adult currently residing in a correctional facility (based upon legal or correctional institution documentation). • An adult living in a hospice, hospital, medical facility, nursing home, or rehabilitation facility. Absent Household Members Listed on Documents If there are persons listed on the lease, mortgage, utility bill, or other supplied documents who are absent and do not live in the household, the client should explain where those persons are currently living; however, proof of where they reside is not required unless the LSP has reason to believe the adult may be in the household. The applicant must complete Form NHMD-2026 – Non-Household Member Declaration Form, or the intake worker must make notes in the EAP database. These persons should not be counted as household members. This form will confirm who is absent in the household. Absent members of the household can be any of the following: Deceased Household Member: If a household member died during three (3) months prior to the date of application, the deceased member should neither be counted as a household member, nor should their income for the three (3) month eligibility period be considered.