Page 40

Louisiana LIHEAP Service Delivery Guide 40 | P a g e

A p r i l 1 , 2 0 2 6

D. Citizenship An applicant must be a citizen of the United States, or a permanent legal resident who is eligible for federal benefits to be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. A household with only ineligible aliens does not qualify for LIHEAP assistance. Subgrantees must allow applicants who challenge the denial to provide verification that they are eligible for benefits. 1. Verification of U.S. Citizenship or Nationality Copies of one of the following documents, combined with acceptable proof of identity, will establish a person’s U.S. citizenship or nationality for purposes of LIHEAP benefits:  Birth certificate showing birth in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico (on or after 1/13/41), Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands (on or after 1/17/17), American Samoan, and Swain’s Island, or the Northern Mariana Islands, unless the person was born to foreign diplomats in the U.S.  Social Security Card  U.S. Passport  Copy of Medicaid or Medicare card  Documentation from U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization  INS Temporary Work Permit 2. Federal Public Benefits under the Welfare Reform Law, “Non- Qualified Aliens” Interim guidance verification of citizenship, qualified alien status, and eligibility under Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).  Non-qualified aliens are eligible to receive certain assistance and services under the LIHEAP, if they meet other program requirements. For example, non-qualified aliens may receive benefits in a cooling or heating center set up to provide relief to citizens in a time of disaster.  In the case of the “certain assistance and services”, proof of eligibility of any applicant is not required for non-profit charitable organizations.  Direct LIHEAP household benefits are considered Federal public benefits and are subject to qualified alien verification requirements.