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PY26 WHEAP Manual

1 Revised: August 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER .......................................................................................................... 7 HE+ HELP DESK PROCEDURE ............................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 1 | DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS ....................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 | PROGRAM INTRODUCTION ........................................................... 22 2.1 Program Description WHEAP ............................................................................. 22 2.1.1 WHEAP − Regular WHEAP Benefits ............................................................ 22 2.1.2 WHEAP − Crisis Assistance Benefits ............................................................ 23 2.1.3 WHEAP – HE+ Program Services ................................................................ 24 2.2 WHEAP − General Eligibility ............................................................................... 24 2.3 WHEAP − Regular Benefits Payment Determination ........................................ 25 2.3.1 General Payment Information ....................................................................... 25 2.4 WHEAP – General Emergency Crisis and Prevention Assistance Eligibility . 26 2.5 WHEAP − HE+ HVAC Program Services Eligibility ........................................... 27 2.6 WHEAP − Application Process ........................................................................... 27 2.7 Weatherization Assistance .................................................................................. 28 2.8 Discrimination Complaints and Administrative Hearings ................................ 28 2.8.1 Discrimination ................................................................................................ 28 2.8.2 Hearings ........................................................................................................ 28 CHAPTER 3 | PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY .................................................................. 31 3.1 General Eligibility Rules and Guidelines ........................................................... 31 3.2 Non-Financial Eligibility ....................................................................................... 32 3.2.1 Applicant/Case Head .................................................................................... 32 3.2.2 Residence ..................................................................................................... 32 3.2.3 Social Security Number (SSN) ...................................................................... 35 3.2.4 Student Status and WHEAP Eligibility .......................................................... 38 3.2.5 Energy Burden .............................................................................................. 40 3.2.6 Counting Household Members ...................................................................... 42 3.3 Financial Eligibility ............................................................................................... 44 3.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 44 3.3.2 Counting Income ........................................................................................... 45 3.3.3 Child Support ................................................................................................ 48 3.3.4 Spousal Impoverishment ............................................................................... 49 3.3.5 Self-Employment Income .............................................................................. 49 3.3.6 Seasonal Workers’ Income ........................................................................... 53 3.3.7 Income Counted Table .................................................................................. 54 3.3.8 Income Deducted Table ................................................................................ 57 3.3.9 Ignored Income Table ................................................................................... 58