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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 21

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 28 Chapter 21 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Bulk fuel users must submit a signed and dated bill from the bulk fuel vendor which indicates that a delivery was or will be made. When such verification cannot be provided, the client must submit the name, address or telephone number of a vendor who can verify that fuel deliveries have been made in the past or will be made for the current season. The Worker must obtain written verification of all other arrangements not referred to above. Statements must be dated and signed. Otherwise, the decision to verify vulnerability is at the Worker's discretion. In some instances, it will be necessary for the Supervisor or Worker to contact managers of public housing authorities in their areas to determine if the tenants are vulnerable or invulnerable to the cost of home heating/cooling. A screening procedure must be established with the Housing Authority to verify whether or not certain clients live in public housing. The housing authority managers should be informed that the client signs a release (item C in section III of the LIEAP application) which protects them from violating confidentiality. 21.4.9.C Social Security Number (SSN) Verification of SSNs is at the discretion of the Worker. When a client indicates he has no SSN, the Worker must refer that person to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for an SSN. 21.4.9.D Emergency Home Heating/Cooling Need An emergency home heating/cooling need must be verified with a past due bill or written notice of termination from a PSC-regulated utility. When the home heating/cooling provider is a bulk fuel distributor, verification must be a written statement certifying that no future deliveries will be made without assurance of payment. If the bulk fuel provider refuses to provide such verification, the Worker may contact the provider by phone and note the results of the conversation in the recording block of the application and in case comments. In situations involving bulk fuel users, the Worker may question whether the AG is actually or nearly without fuel. Since there is no past due bill or written notice of service termination, the Worker may need to check with the vendor to determine when the last delivery or purchase was made. The only other method of resolving this question is to make an on-site inspection of the fuel supply. Such action is permissible at the discretion of the CSM or the person acting on his behalf. Prior to taking such action, the Worker must obtain the client’s written permission and