609.4 Timeframes for Issuing Benefits

The CAO must use the following time frames for determining eligibility and providing Crisis benefits to eligible households:   

  55 Pa. Code § 601.4; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.4

The CAO should provide assistance to a household that is without heat:

·   Within 18 hours of receiving a completed application for households in a life-threatening situation.

·   Within 48 hours of receiving a completed application for all other eligible households.

The CAO should provide assistance to a household that is in danger of being without heat:

·   Within 10 workdays of receiving a completed application if a household’s fuel supply will run out within 15 days or before the household runs out , whichever is sooner.

·   Within 10 workdays of receiving a completed application if a household has received a shut-off notice or prior to the date of termination, whichever is sooner.

NOTE: If a household uses a vendor who is not available  to make deliveries on weekends or after hours, the CAO should ask the household if they would like to use a different vendor to resolve the situation. The CAO is considered to have met their obligation, if the household does not choose to use a different vendor or another vendor is not available.

Reissued November 16,2016, replacing October 13, 2016