Page 1738

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 21

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 14 Chapter 21 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

has not yet been received. The Worker obligates the full amount of the past due bill or termination and approves Emergency LIEAP in the amount of $180. Emergency Home Heating/Cooling Example 3.1: Same as above, except the amount of the past due bill or termination exceeds the maximum allowable payment. The Worker cannot obligate the full amount unless he and Ms. Sunflower are able to obtain contributions for the remaining balance if it is below the maximum allowable payment for the current program year. If the contributions for the remaining balance are not obtained or obligated, the Emergency LIEAP application must be denied. In those instances when it cannot be immediately determined that a vendor has received but not yet credited a Regular LIEAP payment, the Worker must approve the Emergency LIEAP payment for the full amount of past due bill or the termination notice, provided it does not exceed the amount for which he is eligible. 21.3.2.C.2 Verifying Use of Direct Payments Clients who receive direct payment of Regular LIEAP benefits must verify that the payment was used for home heating by submitting a receipt with the Emergency LIEAP application. Failure to submit this verification of payment for home heating/cooling may result in denial of the Emergency LIEAP application unless verification can otherwise be obtained by the Worker. Verifying Payment Example 1: A client applies for Emergency LIEAP on February 22. She does not have receipts for the purchase of bulk fuel with her but returns the next day with a receipt for 104 gallons. The receipt is dated February 22 and is in the amount of the Regular LIEAP check issued January 5. The Worker denies the application because the date of the receipt is not prior to the date of the Emergency LIEAP application. Verifying Payment Example 1.1: Same situation as above, but the receipt is dated February 15, which is prior to the date of the Emergency LIEAP application. However, the client received 104 gallons of bulk fuel just one week before applying for Emergency LIEAP. According to the client, she uses about 150 gallons per month. Based on her statement, the Worker determines that the fuel should last at least another two weeks. The client has not claimed NOTE: Receipts for the purchase of bulk fuel must be dated prior to the date of application for Emergency LIEAP. The Worker must consider the date of the receipt(s) when determining if an emergency exists.