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Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4. Revised: January 2026

Rule 7.6 Criminal/Illegal Activities

A. LIHEAP funds may not be used to pay for any criminal acts punishable with fines, fees, penalties, and/or imprisonment. An application that is submitted for a bill which explicitly states that part of the bill is inclusive of illegal activity such as tampering and other theft for services shall not be approved until the tampering fees/penalties are paid by the client.

The client must bring in receipt as evidence that fees have been paid prior to any LIHEAP funds being obligated. If a new bill cannot be generated with new balance, the caseworker must deduct the illegal fees as shown on the bill and attach receipt when uploading into Virtual ROMA.

Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4. Revised: January 2026

Rule 7.7 Client Confidentiality.

A. MDHS and its subgrantees are responsible for protecting the confidentiality of client information.

B. Subgrantees must maintain client files under lock and key.

C. Client appointments should be conducted in areas where the conversation cannot be overheard by others.

D. Subgrantee staff should not discuss confidential client information with other staff unless to coordinate or proceed with client services.

E. Even though the Virtual ROMA system has a screen for all users to agree to confidentiality before entering client data, each subgrantee staff member is required to sign a ‘Confidentiality Statement’ and submit to DCS prior to being granted access to the Virtual ROMA system.

F. Client information should only be discussed with other service organizations/partners when referring a household for additional services.

G. The client must sign the ‘Authorization of Release of Information Form’ (Form ARF 001) for the subgrantee to refer the household for other services.