Page 24
● Eligibility is system-generated based on prior year data. ● Income sources must be limited to Social Security, SSI, SSDI, or Pension. ● Small income changes (like a Social Security COLA) can be adjusted without documentation if still within guidelines. ● More significant changes (like household composition or address) require a new application. ● Customers have 45 days to return the redetermination form or provide additional documentation if needed. ● Redetermination mailings are auto-generated quarterly by the state Office of Home Energy Programs. All bulk fuel customers receive a redetermination notice in the first batch sent out at the beginning of the fiscal year. 3.2 OHEP Protections for Domestic Violence Victims Applicants who have concerns for their personal safety must complete the Concern for Personal Safety Privacy Form, which serves as the required documentation. Once this form is completed, the applicant is exempt from providing photo identification, proof of residence, and a copy of their utility bill. For cases where an applicant is unable to provide a delivery address due to safety concerns: ● Local Administering Agencies (LAAs) must coordinate with the State OHEP office for guidance.
● If the applicant is currently receiving services from a domestic violence program, the program’s mailing address should be entered into the OHEP Data Management System as the applicant’s address of record.
● If the applicant is not connected with a domestic violence program, the applicant’s legal name must still be used, but the address should be entered as “123 Fake Street.”
In all situations, the LAA, State OHEP, utility provider, applicant, and any supporting organization must collaborate to ensure the energy assistance payment is correctly applied to the appropriate utility account.
3.3 Application Processing Once an application is submitted, Local OHEP Administering Agencies must follow these steps to ensure a timely and accurate eligibility determination:
Updated May 2025