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F. The cost for the replacement, repair, or purchase of heating or cooling equipment does not count against the benefit matrix amount for the program year.

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

Rule 7.9 Priority Population Procedures.

A. Elderly and disabled clients should be seen in person once a year. For subsequent request for assistance, application should be via phone interview. Any changes in income can be verified by email, mail, uploading into CWP or delivered to the office. For subsequent request only “Signature on File” can be noted by caseworker in place of actual client signature. B. Subgrantees can send appointment notices to elderly and/or disabled clients in December to be seen in January because new Social Security and SSI income letters will be received. Should further assistance be needed during the year, the client must submit a new application and provide the required documentation. Subgrantees should allocate the full amount of the bill including applicable fees (past due, transfer, etc). Source: Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-2(4); Miss. Code Ann. § 43-1-4. Revised: January 2026 Rule 7.10 Crisis and Emergency Services.

Mississippi offers a year-round crisis assistance component of LIHEAP, entitled the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), provides assistance to low-income households who have encountered a crisis situation within the last 30 days. Agencies should utilize partnerships to alleviate crisis until client’s eligibility is determined.

A. Life Threatening Crisis (LTE) – Eligible households with a life-threatening energy crisis must have the crisis relieved within 18 hours of an approved application. Resolution of a life-threatening crisis may include, but is not limited to: arranging for an immediate supply of fuel, securing a payment arrangement with the energy vendor, pledging the amount of the bill to prevent shutoff, or to restore service, purchase of heating/cooling equipment, etc. The following are considered life threatening. a. Disaster (fire, gas, leak, etc.) b. Person(s) on life support or medical devices that require electricity. In the event an applicant is at risk of disconnection of a utility that is a necessity for any medical equipment or devices needed to sustain life, the applicant should be treated as a Life-Threatening Crisis case and should be interviewed the same day and approved within 18 hours of the applicant’s initial application. Supporting documents should be provided at the time of interview and scanned into Virtual ROMA and placed in the applicant’s file.