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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 20

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 2 Chapter 20 Emergency and Special Assistance Programs

20.2 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE 20.2.1 INTRODUCTION The Emergency Assistance (EA) program is used to assist individuals and families in meeting a financial crisis when they are without available resources. EA is designed to provide short-term emergency financial assistance with which eligible individuals and families may obtain certain items or services needed to eliminate an emergency or crisis. Those who are in need of and qualify for EA may already be participating in an economic or social service program. Individuals and families who receive EA may also be in need of and be eligible to receive regular ongoing medical, financial and/or social services from the Department of Human Services (DOHS). As contained in the provisions under Title IV-A, as established by Section 406(e) of the Social Security Act, federal matching funds are available to assist families with eligible children under the age of 21 who are destitute because they are without immediate resources to meet their needs. 20.2.2 GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 20.2.2.A Emergency Need Requirement An applicant who meets the definition of being faced with an emergency need is one who: • Is faced with an existing or imminent crisis of a nature that threatens the physical health, safety, and well-being of the applicant and his family; and • Is without available resources with which he can immediately eliminate an existing crisis or prevent an imminent crisis. When the applicant fails to meet either or both requirements indicated above, the application is denied. See Specific Items of Need in Section 20.2.4 for specific requirements.