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PY26 WHEAP Manual

27 Revised: August 2025 Application. Customers must have a need for Crisis Assistance and a direct pay relationship with a participating energy vendor. Customers must have paid at least $25 in the past three months on the energy account for which they are seeking Crisis Assistance. There is a maximum crisis benefit amount that a customer may receive during a program year (October 1 to September 30), and they cannot receive WHEAP Crisis Assistance more than two times during a program year. Agencies may contact the HE+ Help Desk to request an exception to the customer contribution requirement or the maximum crisis benefit amount. See Section 5.2 for more information.

2.5 WHEAP − HE+ HVAC Program Services Eligibility Homeowners and some renters who are WHEAP eligible may be eligible for HE+ Program Services. Homes owned by a business are generally not eligible for HE+ Program Services. Exceptions to this shall receive prior approval from the HE+ Help Desk. See the HE+ Program Services Manual for details.

2.6 WHEAP − Application Process The application for WHEAP benefits is called the HE+ Application. This application is also used to determine eligibility for Weatherization Assistance.

Individuals must apply for energy assistance through an approved WHEAP agency for the county/tribe where they reside or online. There is an approved WHEAP agency for each county and for six of the tribes in the state.

Individuals may submit multiple applications during the program year, October 1 to September 30. An applicant may only receive one regular heat benefit and one regular non-heat electric benefit each program year. However, being turned down for benefit(s) during a program year does not preclude future applications during the program year. If circumstances have changed since the “Denied” application, a new application can lead to an award of benefits.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information for their household within 30 days of the application date. The Certification Page provides notice to the applicant regarding use of the information provided and the rights of the applicant. By submitting the application, the intake worker acknowledges that they have verified the applicant’s information and agree to comply with the HE+ Conflict of Interest/Non-Disclosure Agreement (see Section 9.5.1.1).

Telephonic signatures are allowed to satisfy the Certification Page requirements. A telephonic signature is a recording of the entire Certification Page being read to the customer and the customer acknowledging the statement associated with their signature. This recorded telephonic signature shall be uploaded to the HE+ System Certification Page repository.

Email, text, and/or mail are other acceptable methods to satisfy the Certification Page requirements. The signed Certification Page shall be uploaded to the HE+ System Certification Page repository.

Exceptions may be granted for obtaining a customer signature due to illness or other extenuating circumstances including lack of access to printers/scanners. Agencies shall contact the HE+ Help Desk to obtain an exception on a case-by-case basis.