Page 20

20 | P a g e October 25 3. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION 3.1 Eligibility Criteria/Income and Resources NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA – 1. Proof of identity for all household members must be provided. Information to be submitted by applicants for all household members include: a) SSNs (A hospital abstract showing an SSN has been requested for newborn infants is acceptable). b) Proof of citizenship, proof of lawful permanent residency, or qualified alien status, AND c) Photo identification (Birth certificates may be accepted for children under age 18 who do not have photo identification.). Verification must be provided. However, photo IDs for all household members or birth certificates for household members under age 18 are no longer required if the Sub- grantee has verified the SSN through CHIMES Universal Inquiry. Note: Once documentation has been verified and on record in the client file, any subsequent year’s applications do not require the above non-financial criteria unless a change in household composition occurs. 2. In households consisting of eligible and ineligible household members, the income of all will be counted for benefit calculation purposes. Only the eligible household members will be counted toward the total “number in the household” when counting the number of household members for benefit calculation purposes. a) Income calculation to determine eligibility is performed through the CHIMES System, using verified income data provided in the household’s LIHEAP application. 3. Current and future benefits will be denied to any persons and households who refuse to submit social security numbers; proof of U.S. citizenship; proof of status as a qualified alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641(b); or whose social security numbers, proof of residency, or citizenship cannot be verified. 4. Proof of primary fuel type or obligation for energy costs must be provided. 5. Reside in the State of Montana. 3.2 Prorated LIHEAP Benefits The benefit will be prorated: • For applicants new to the state during the heating season