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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 12 5. THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Eligibility for the New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) is based upon the following requirements:

• The household’s primary residence is in New Hampshire • Household members occupy the residence at time of application and during heating season • The total household size – all residents who are members of that household • The total household’s total gross income • The household is responsible for energy costs, either directly or through rent payment

The New Hampshire definition of "household" is drawn directly from the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act, as amended. This definition provides two criteria which must be met to establish the presence of a "household":

• An individual or group of individuals living together as one "economic unit" who purchase energy in common

Categorical eligibility, where a person or household qualifies for one program simply because they are a participant in another program, shall not be utilized for the FAP. Any household wishing to participate in the program must complete an application and document eligibility based upon household income for all members.

The local CAA shall determine eligibility through the application and certification process. The CAA shall ensure that applicants have provided required and accurate documentation of gross income as indicated on the application for all household members and attest to the truth of the information submitted. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide all required documentation to the CAA as part of the application process. All applications must be complete, with all supporting documentation attached. Proof of valid Social Security numbers (SSN) or appropriate documentation for qualified non-citizens are required for all household members listed on the FAP application. A copy of the documentation should be saved in the application. If an applicant does not want their SSN documentation stored, a staff member must review the documentation to verify it is valid, enter the number into ECOS, and then document this verification process in notes. Babies under 1 year of age may be entered as a household member without a Social Security number by selecting “No identification number’ in ECOS and listing the reason as child under 1 year of age. If this child appears on a future application above age 1, the correct SSN must be verified and entered at that time.

A person or household who received a FAP benefit is not eligible for another FAP benefit in the same program year. Any subsequent applications for assistance from the program in the same