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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 21
West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 26 Chapter 21 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
• The application must be signed and dated by the client and the agency staff. • If verification is required, the instructions outlined in Section 21.4.9 below must be followed. A copy of the heating/cooling bill must be attached to the application. • Clients must be allowed no more than 15 calendar days to submit verification. • Applications ready for processing by the local DOHS office must be sent to that office on a daily basis with a signed and dated word-processed or typewritten list with the name and address of each client. • Applications held in excess of 30 days by any outside agency are not accepted. • Clients must be informed that the DOHS staff will determine eligibility, provide written notification of the decision, and make payment to or on behalf of eligible AGs. 21.4.9 VERIFICATION Verification is the process of documenting statements and information provided by the client. Although specific guidelines for verifying certain eligibility criteria are indicated below, the Worker may request verification of any information provided by the client in determining eligibility for LIEAP benefits. The responsibility of the client in the eligibility determination process includes the effort to obtain required verifications. However, if the client is unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain the verification or if he has physical or mental impairments which limit his ability to perform this responsibility and he has no family members or other persons who will help him, the Worker will assist the client to obtain the verification. The Worker must decide when and what information must be verified or when additional information must be obtained, particularly when information provided by the client is questionable or more information is needed to complete the eligibility determination or payment process. Failure or refusal on the part of the client to obtain verification when required or requested by the Worker as outlined in the instructions below will result in a denial of the application. NOTE: If the application is not signed by both parties, it must be returned to the other agency for completion.