4 CRISIS ASSISTANCE

Eligibility - 2604(c), 2605(c)(1)(A) 4.1 Designate the income eligibility threshold used for the crisis component Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 All Household Sizes HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 4.2 Provide your LIHEAP program's definition for determining a crisis. If you administer multiple crisis assistance programs (winter, summer, and/or year-round), Include all program definitions. Households that have received a written disconnect notice from their utility vendor, or a statement of non-delivery or fuel sale refusal from their fuel vendor due to nonpayment or inability to pay, or that lack sufficient funds to open an account or meet security deposit requirements, may be eligible to receive a crisis LIHEAP benefit. The Department is mandated to provide intervention to resolve any existing energy crisis. Processing applications for households in crisis includes contacting the utility or fuel provider within specified timeframes to facilitate resolution. Contact with utility vendors will occur no later than 48 hours after receiving the household’s LIHEAP application, and no later than 18 hours for households facing a life-threatening emergency. Crisis intervention is not available to households that have already received a LIHEAP benefit in the current federal fiscal year. When a household’s heating or cooling system is determined to be inoperable, MFA may authorize its subcontractors to repair or replace the unit depending on seasonal needs. The ISD LIHEAP program ensures that any replacement unit provided by MFA subcontractors is the most energy-efficient and cost-effective model available. 4.3 What constitutes a life-threatening crisis? A life-threatening crisis under LIHEAP typically refers to a situation where a household’s energy-related issue poses an immediate risk to the health or safety of household members. Below are what can constitute a life-threatening crisis for LIHEAP purposes: Common Criteria for a Life-Threatening Energy Crisis: Utility Disconnection or Imminent Disconnection The household lacks adequate heating during extreme cold or cooling during dangerous heat waves, especially if there are vulnerable members (infants, elderly, disabled). Non-delivery of heating fuel such as propane, oil, or wood during critical weather conditions. When failure to maintain energy service could cause or worsen a serious medical condition for household members, such as requiring electricity for life-sustaining medical devices. Crisis Requirement, 2604(c) 4.4 Within how many hours do you provide an intervention that will resolve the energy crisis for eligible households? 48Hours 4.5 Within how many hours do you provide an intervention that will resolve the energy crisis for eligible households in life-threatening situations? 18Hours Crisis Eligibility, 2605(c)(1)(A) Winter Crisis Summer Crisis Year-Round Crisis 4.6 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Crisis Assistance? 4.7 Check the appropriate boxes below to indicate type(s) of assistance provided 0 Do you require an Assets test? Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Individuals with a disability? Young Children? Households with high energy burdens? Other (Specify): In Order to receive crisis assistance: Must the household have received a shut-off notice or have a near empty tank? Must the household have been shut off or have an empty tank? Must the household have exhausted their regular heating benefit? Must renters with heating costs included in their rent have received an eviction notice? Must heating/cooling be medically necessary? Must the household have non-working heating or cooling equipment? Other (Specify): Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Renters living in subsidized housing? Renters with utilities included in the rent? Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Determination of Benefits 4.8 How do you handle crisis situations? Separate component Benefit Fast Track, no separate amount of crisis funds is issued. Rather benefits are issued to crisis customers within crisis response time frames. Other - Describe: 4.9 If you have a separate component, how do you determine crisis assistance benefits? Amount to resolve the crisis. $0 Other - Describe: Crisis Requirements, 2604(c) 4.10 Do you accept applications for energy crisis assistance at sites that are geographically accessible to all households in the area to be served? Yes No Explain. 4.11 Do you provide individuals who are individuals with a disability the means to: Submit applications for crisis benefits without leaving their homes? Yes No If No, explain. Travel to the sites at which applications for crisis assistance are accepted? Yes No If No, explain. If you answered "No" to both options in question 4.11, please explain alternative means of intake to those who are homebound or physically disabled? Benefit Levels, 2605(c)(1)(B) 4.12 Indicate the maximum benefit for each type of crisis assistance offered. Winter Crisis $490.00 maximum benefit Summer Crisis $490.00 maximum benefit Year-round Crisis $490.00 maximum benefit 4.13 Do you provide in-kind (e.g. blankets, space heaters, fans) and/or other forms of benefits? Yes No If yes, Describe 4.14 Do you provide for equipment repair or replacement using crisis funds? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 4.14, you must complete question 4.15. 4.15 Check appropriate boxes below to indicate type(s) of assistance provided. Winter Crisis Summer Crisis Year-round Crisis Heating system repair Heating system replacement Cooling system repair Cooling system replacement Wood stove purchase Pellet stove purchase Solar panel(s) Utility poles / gas line hook-ups Other (Specify): 4.16 Do any of the utility vendors you work with enforce a moratorium on shut offs? Yes No If you responded "Yes" to question 4.16, you must respond to question 4.17. 4.17 Describe the terms of the moratorium and any special dispensation received by LIHEAP clients during or after the moratorium period. From November 15 to March 15, customers who are either current on their utility bills or have an active payment arrangement with their utility vendor are protected under the Winter Moratorium. During this time, utility companies are generally prohibited from disconnecting heating services due to nonpayment. 4.18 If you experience a natural disaster, do you intend to utilize LIHEAP crisis funds to address disaster related crisis situations? Yes No If yes, describe If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.