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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 2 Applications & Application Processing Page 13 • An adult (18 years of age or older). • An emancipated minor, who can be any member of the household. An emancipated minor is a person under the age of 18 who is or was married, is on active duty in the uniformed services, or has been declared emancipated by a court. • The head of household under the age of 18, if no one in the household is 18 or older or an emancipated minor. • A non-household member signing the application must be a court appointed guardian or conservator or have a power of attorney (POA) to act on behalf of a household member and must submit supporting documentation with the EAP application. (See the Court- appointed Guardian or Conservator and Power of Attorney section below.) The signer is not required to be the Primary Applicant. (See the Ineligible Non-Citizens section of Chapter 3 – Program Eligibility Requirements). All applications must be postmarked or received by EAP on or before the application deadline. Applications must be postmarked or received within 60 days of the date signed. If the application is received beyond 60 days of the signature date, do not void the application. Instead, log the application and have the household sign a new signature page. The household should sign the signature page with a current date, and it is possible the household will need to provide additional income proof based on their signature date. If an application is received with a signature but no date, use as the signature date the date the application was received or the postmark date, whichever is earlier, and document as necessary. An applicant’s signature on a faxed or scanned application is acceptable. A signature made with the signer’s finger or a stylus on an electronic device, such as an electronic tablet, is also acceptable. If these requirements are not met the Service Provider should request complete information from the household. Court-appointed Guardian or Conservator A court-appointed guardian or conservator may have rights and powers to sign the EAP application and other documents on behalf of an individual. A guardian or conservator is appointed by the court when an individual is incapable of exercising their own rights and powers. The court appointment of a guardian or conservator: • Allows people to receive services they otherwise would be unable to access. • Fulfills data privacy and security requirements. The court order appointing a guardian or conservator must be dated and signed by a judge. A copy of a court’s “letter of guardianship” or a “letter of conservatorship” or a copy of the court order must be provided to the Service Provider. The letter from the court or court order allows