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pg. 23 EARLY APPLICATION PERIOD Early Application Period refers to the one (1) month timeframe in which LIHEAP customers can submit their application prior to the program start dates. Mailed Application FSD mails LIHEAP applications to the applicants who received a LIHEAP benefit in the previous FFY. Applications are also available to applicants and agencies by accessing the LIHEAP website at https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance and selecting the Application box located under the title, “How Do I Get Help?” Applications are mailed first class and includes a forwarding order if the applicant has moved. Customers may return applications to the agency by mail, fax, electronically, in person, or emailed. September 15th: Mail-out applications for elderly-disabled EA customers October 15th: Mail-out applications to all other LIHEAP EA Customers Application processing guidelines:  For households with a person who is disabled or age 60 or older, the first payroll date is November 1 of each year with the Early Application Period being from October 1 – October 31.  For all other households, the first payroll date is December 1 of each year with the Early Application Period being from November 1 – November 30. This timeframe allows agencies to ensure completion of the applications they receive and will afford agencies time to request additional documentation, if necessary. Income Determinations When an agency is determining eligibility during an Early Application Period , agencies must continue to use income from the month prior to the date stamp month on the application.  Example 1: Case date-stamped October for elderly-disabled household. The agency will use September income.  Example 2: Case date-stamped November for non-elderly-disabled household. The agency will use October income. After verification of the E1LW screen, eligible cases will generate the CEL, and it will be sent to the participating suppliers. Suppliers will determine whether the household meets the criteria to accept a LIHEAP EA benefit and enter their responses accordingly. At this point, the system