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Chapter 24 – Home Energy Assistance Program Page 1 of 33

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INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

346 MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY

CHAPTER 24 Home Energy Assistance Program Rule

Summary: The Rule establishes standards for the Home Energy Assistance Program for the State of Maine as administered by the Maine State Housing Authority. The Home Energy Assistance Program provides Fuel Assistance and Energy Crisis Intervention Programs to income Eligible Households. The Rule also establishes standards for the HEAP Weatherization, Central Heating Improvement Program, and Heat Pump Program.

1. Definitions.

A. “Act” means the Maine Housing Authorities Act, 30-A M.R.S. § 4701 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time.

B. “Annual Consumption Report” means the annual report Vendors must submit to MaineHousing to report their HEAP customers’ Home Energy deliveries from May 1st through April 30th.

C. “Primary Applicant” means a person who signs the completed Application.

D. “Application” means forms and documents completed, signed, and provided by Primary Applicant to determine eligibility for a Benefit and ECIP.

E. “Application Date” means the date an Application is taken with the Primary Applicant by Subgrantee personnel both online or not online.

F. “Benefit” means the dollar amount of Fuel Assistance an Eligible Household receives.

G. “Benefit Return” means a Benefit, partial or whole, returned to MaineHousing.

H. “Categorical Income Eligibility” means Household Members who are included on a Maine Department of Health and Human Services (“Maine DHHS”) Notice of Decision for TANF or SNAP assistance will be considered income eligible for HEAP, as the Household Members’ incomes have already been vetted. Household Members who are not included on the Notice of Decision must provide income documentation as outlined in this Rule and the HEAP Guide.

I. “CHIP” means the Central Heating Improvement Program.

J. “Citizenship Attestation Form” means an attestation form prescribed by MaineHousing in the HEAP Guide.

K. “Contractor” means a provider of materials or services to Eligible Households.

L. “Application Received Date” means the date a signed Application is received by the Subgrantee.