The LIHEAP State Plan defines a resident as a person whose permanent home is in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and who lives here voluntarily and not temporarily for a reason such as vacation, a visit or education. A residence is defined as the dwelling where the household is actually living.
55 Pa. Code § 601.3;
LIHEAP State Plan § 601.3
To qualify for LIHEAP benefits in situations where the household is not living at its actual residence, the household must provide documentation of the emergency or situation beyond the household’s control that requires that the household live elsewhere. Appropriate documentation may include some type of written or printed information such as a doctor’s statement or a letter from the Board of Health, explaining why the household is not living at its residence.
NOTE: Upon request, the CAO must help the applicant get proof of residence.
Temporary residents are ineligible for LIHEAP assistance. Temporary residents are defined as:
LIHEAP State Plan § 601.31(iii)
people who are maintaining their living arrangement temporarily for a reason such as a visit, a vacation or education; or
residents of institutions, dormitories, fraternity or sorority houses, and boarding homes.
Applicants who live in campers or RVs may qualify for LIHEAP if the camper or RV is permanently located at a campground or a licensed lot.
The CAO should request the following items to determine eligibility for the household:
A copy of a driver’s license verifying the physical address of the household’s camper or RV.
A statement from the campground or licensed area that the household resides in the camper or RV year-round.
Proof that the household has a heating responsibility.
Individuals operating a licensed business out of the LIHEAP household’s residence will be ineligible for LIHEAP if they are using the home’s utilities as a deduction on their business’ tax return.
Reissued February 15, 2013, replacing November 7, 2011