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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 20

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 24 Chapter 20 Emergency and Special Assistance Programs

➢ Overnight Lodging The Worker authorizes payment to the facility at the going per diem weekly or monthly rate up to a maximum of one week of lodging. When overnight lodging must be extended beyond one-week, alternate temporary housing must be explored. If alternate temporary housing cannot be arranged, Supervisory approval must be obtained for payment beyond one week, up to a maximum of 30 days. 20.2.4.B Utilities and Bulk Fuel 20.2.4.B.1 Services Covered The payment of utility services included under the EA program include those services needed by the AG for heating, cooking, lighting, and sanitation. Telephone service is included only when the AG is in need of telephone service because everyone living in the home is 65 years of age or older or is disabled or temporarily incapacitated for at least the next 30 days. See Section 13.15. 20.2.4.B.2 General Requirements Payment may be authorized for clients who are without utility services or who face imminent termination of these services. When a utility service, other than telephone service, has been disconnected, the application for EA must be made within 30 days of the date the service was terminated to meet the emergency need requirement described in Section 20.2.2.A. Supervisory approval is required to make an exception to this requirement when the AG is otherwise eligible and the service has been terminated for more than 30 days. Exceptions may only be granted on a case-by-case basis when the extenuating circumstances warrant it. These include, but are not limited to, delayed application due to illness or disability, and other situations that are beyond the client’s control.