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PY26 WHEAP Manual

9 Revised: August 2025 application The form used to apply for energy assistance. The HE+ Application, Form DOA-9549, is the paper form version of the application. • A complete application is an application which has all required information documented and/or verified by the applicant, has been signed and dated by the applicant, has all required information verified by an authorized local agency staff worker, and is signed and dated by the worker. • An incomplete/“Pending” application is an application that is missing one or more of the elements required to be a complete application. • A minimum application is an application that contains at least the applicant’s name, SSN, date of birth, gender, housing type, residence and mailing address, and date of application. This is the minimum to be included to be considered an application for purposes of this program. An application received without an SSN for the case head does not meet the minimum application requirements. • An early application is an application for the upcoming heating season with an application date prior to October 1. Early applications may not be taken until after a date has been determined by the Division. Early applications will not be paid until the first extraction of the new program year. While emphasis shall be given to “fixed income” households, any income type qualifies for an early application. • An automated application is an application processed by the Division/HE+ System. Automated applications are for previous year recipient households whose income is from Social Security and/or Veterans benefits, who have heat and non-heating electricity provided by an IOU, and who have the same household demographics as the previous year. • An online application is an application that is submitted by the customer through the online energy assistance application portal.

application number The application number is an HE+ System-generated identifier attached to an application. This number is used, in part, to ensure the household with the case head is not paid more than one regular heat or electric benefit in a program year.

assisted living facility A living unit where a third party assists the resident with one or more of the resident’s basic daily activities. Basic daily activities include, but are not limited to, meal preparation, food shopping, regular medical care (shots, rehab, etc.), transportation assistance, house cleaning, or home maintenance. See also definition for Adult Family Home (AFH). If the applicant is responsible for energy costs (heat and electric), lives in an independent apartment within an assisted living complex, and pays full market rent, consult the HE+ Help Desk for a determination of the status of the dwelling as an eligible or ineligible assisted living unit.

authorized representative A person who has signed an Affidavit of Agent, and who is listed as the authorized representative on the Authorization of Representation/Affidavit of Agent Form.