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PY26 WHEAP Manual

31 Revised: August 2025 Chapter 3 | Program Eligibility 3.1 General Eligibility Rules and Guidelines The HE+ Application is used to process regular energy assistance benefits, establish eligibility for Crisis Assistance, and establish eligibility for WAP. HE+ Applications are submitted online, by phone with either the local WHEAP agency or the statewide Customer Care Center, by mail, or in- person with the local WHEAP agency. The eligibility criteria for WHEAP and WAP follow the same guidelines – the income limits are the same; however, WAP has structural criteria that may include or exclude a dwelling unit which means while the household may be eligible, the dwelling could be ineligible.

Eligibility is based on non-financial and financial requirements. The applicant must meet both sets of requirements to be eligible for energy assistance. Financial and non-financial eligibility criteria are assessed based on household composition and circumstances on the date of application for energy assistance.

Households denied a heating benefit or a PB (electric) during the heating season may reapply for the denied benefit if the conditions leading to denial of that benefit (heat or electric) have changed. A household may re-apply multiple times if not deemed eligible on earlier applications. Households may apply throughout the year for eligibility. Households applying after May 15 will not be eligible for Regular WHEAP Benefits but should be encouraged to complete their applications. While applications dated after May 15 will be denied for Regular WHEAP Benefits because they were submitted after the end of the heating season, eligible households may still receive Prevention Assistance, HE+ Program Services, and/or Weatherization services. If a customer contacted an agency to apply for WHEAP on or before May 15 but faced challenges in scheduling an appointment prior to May 15, their application may be backdated to May 15 as long as the application is completed between May 16 and June 15. A required HE+ System Note explaining why the application was backdated to May 15 and the date the customer contacted the agency shall be added. An online application in any status other than “submitted” is not considered to be contact or attempted contact with the WHEAP agency.

An applicant is eligible for only one heating and one electric benefit per heating season. Applications must be entered/processed in the chronological order in which they were received. The application completed with the first chronological date, when more than one application from an applicant exists, will have precedence in processing.

There is no entitlement to WHEAP or WAP benefits; being eligible does not mean Regular Benefits, Crisis Assistance, HE+ Program Services, or Weatherization Assistance will be provided.

Households containing an individual who was a case head on a “Paid” application during the current heating season are not eligible for regular heating/electric benefits. However, such a household may be considered for Crisis Assistance if all other eligibility requirements are satisfied.