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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 21

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 7 Chapter 21 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

21.3.1.C.1 Residential Dwelling Types In order to qualify for a LIEAP payment the AGs must reside in an approved traditional dwelling type. This is for both LIEAP and Emergency LIEAP payments.

Approved – Traditional Dwelling types include a structure that provides a housing or residential environment that is affixed to a physical address. These structures include houses, apartments, townhomes, tiny homes, mobile homes, recreational vehicles (RV’s), 5th wheels, and campers. Those that are fixed and no longer movable are vulnerable to the cost of home heating/cooling.

Non-Traditional Dwelling is a structure that provides temporary housing that is not affixed to a permanent physical address. These include but are not limited to tents, lean-to’s, cars, vans, or buses that are still a form of movable transportation. These types of non-traditional dwellings are considered invulnerable to home heating/cooling.

NOTE: Questions as to whether an AG is vulnerable or invulnerable should be directed to the State LIEAP Coordinator. 21.3.1.C.2 Vulnerable AGs Vulnerable AGs are those which must pay the primary heating/cooling cost for the home in which they reside. The residence must be in the form of a traditional dwelling. The expense for heating/cooling must be billed separately from the rent or mortgage payment of the residence, even if the AG combines these payments. When payments are combined, the amount billed for the heating cost must be stated on a rent receipt, lease, or other documentation. AGs may also be considered vulnerable if there has been a documented increase in a rent or mortgage payment due to increased utility costs. The increase does not have to be permanent if the only reason for the increase is due to extreme weather changes that cause the AGs to use a large portion of utilities. Clients who are temporarily away from home for medical, educational, or employment purposes, and who still must pay a heating/cooling cost for the dwelling, are considered vulnerable. This includes nursing home residents who are still maintaining a home and have a heating/cooling cost. Vulnerability also exists when the AG must pay at least a part of the cost of home heating/cooling, whether they pay just part of the cost each month or alternate payments with a third-party.