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PY26 WHEAP Manual

83 Revised: August 2025 • The household has any other income resulting in a negative amount for the test period, such as child support paid.

If the household is determined to be zero-income, see subsequent Section 4.4.27.2 and Section 4.4.27.3 for requirements of self-certification, the ZIF, and interactive application requirements.

When households report zero income, follow-up with the customer is required to complete the application, unless the application was processed in-person or via phone. See Section 4.4.27.2 regarding how to proceed if a paper application is received for a zero-income household.

4.4.27.2 Self-Certification for Zero-Income Households If a zero-income household is unable to provide third-party verification of an ignored income source (see Section 3.3.9), and after all other avenues of documenting income eligibility are exhausted, self-certification by completing the ZIF is allowable. Agency staff shall enter HE+ System Notes stating the various attempts of obtaining third-party verification.

Third-party verification: Ignored income shall not be entered into the HE+ System as an income record but noted in HE+ System Notes. Examples of third-party verification include: • Student Income – Loan/Grant Award letter/statement • Kinship Care – View check stubs or CARES

If third-party verification is provided of an ignored income source for a zero-income household, agency staff shall upload the verification into the HE+ System under “Zero Income.” That verification is sufficient for the ZIF document upload requirement; while the worker may ask the customer to complete a ZIF, it is not required.

Self-certification: If the household is self-certifying as a zero-income household, the following procedures are suggested: 1. Mailed applications If a zero-income mailed application is received, the worker shall: a. Enter the mailed application into the HE+ System as an incomplete application until the interaction takes place b. Enter HE+ System Notes stating the application is “Pending” for customer interaction c. Contact the customer to confirm income information and to ensure the ZIF has been fully completed and submitted i. If unable to reach the customer, send an Incomplete Notification/Notice (see Section 4.1.1) informing the customer to contact the agency d. Change the “Outreach Type” to phone or site where the interaction took place e. Enter HE+ System Notes stating that the phone interaction was completed and enter any missing ZIF information