Anyone who wants to apply for Cash or Crisis benefits for himself or herself or on behalf of another person may ask for an application from the local CAO. The CAO must help an applicant fill it out, if necessary.
55 Pa. Code § 601.24; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.24
The system-generated LIHEAP application (HSEA-1) or postcard (HSEA-54) is mailed to people who received LIHEAP benefits during the past heating season. Only one HSEA-1 is needed for a household. Individuals living in the common residence at the time the applicant signs the HSEA-1 must be listed on the application form.
55 Pa. Code § 601.3; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.3
Instructions for completing the HSEA-1 are on the form.
The CAO must accept any HSEA-1 that contains the name, address and signature of the applicant. The HSEA-1 may be mailed, faxed or submitted in person to the CAO. A scanned application faxed or e-mailed by the client or by an agency acting on behalf of the client is acceptable.
55 Pa. Code § 601.21; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.21
The CAO must not accept a paper HSEA-1 that is for the incorrect program year. The CAO must provide the applicant with the current application.
If information on the application cannot be read, the CAO must try to contact the applicant or send a system-generated Incomplete Notice.
If a person completes a HSEA-1 for Cash and later requests Crisis benefits, a new application is not needed unless the address has changed or someone new has joined the household.
55 Pa. Code § 601.21; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.21
NOTE: If the household composition has changed, the CAO must review the income of all members to determine if the household still qualifies for LIHEAP. If the gross income exceeds the limit, the Crisis application must be rejected.
NOTE: A newborn child of a known household member does not necessitate a new application.
604.11 Where to Apply
Individuals may apply at the CAO in the county where they live. Applications also may be taken at an agency designated by DHS to provide application access, such as community agencies, area agencies on aging, or contracted partners.
Every person has the right to apply and to receive a written notice of eligibility. A person may apply for himself or herself or on behalf of someone else.
In an effort to make LIHEAP benefits available to all eligible commonwealth citizens, DHS offers a variety of ways to apply:
Electronically: Households can apply through COMPASS at www.compass.state.pa.us. These applications are processed the same as paper applications. Postcards are mailed to those who received LIHEAP benefits in the last LIHEAP season, providing them with information regarding applying through COMPASS.
By mail: DHS mails a bar-coded application to those who received LIHEAP benefits in the last LIHEAP season. Bar-coded applications are scanned to prepopulate e-CIS with the household’s demographic information. A postage-paid business reply envelope with the CAO return address is included with the mail-in application.
In person: People may apply at the CAO in the county where they live or may apply at agencies designated by DHS.
By fax: LIHEAP applications may be accepted by fax unless there is a reason to believe there may be fraud or misrepresentation. The need to make a determination regarding fraud and misrepresentation should be handled on a case-by-case basis.
The applicant must sign the HSEA-1 or COMPASS application as a condition of eligibility for LIHEAP.
55 Pa. Code § 601.21; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.21
If a person who is required to sign the application form refuses to sign, that person is ineligible for LIHEAP benefits.
If a person fails to sign the application, it must be held pending the return of the certification page. Within 10 days after receiving the unsigned application, the CAO must send an Incomplete Notice that includes a new certification page. If the client does not return the signed certification page within 15 days of the date of the written notice, the CAO must reject the application.
55 Pa. Code § 601.23; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.23
NOTE: If a person signs the LIHEAP application in the wrong place, the application still is considered valid. LIHEAP workers should not send an Incomplete Notice requesting that the client sign the certification if a signature appears somewhere on the application, such as in the Voter Registration section. LIHEAP workers should send an Incomplete Notice requesting that the client sign the certification if no signature appears anywhere on the LIHEAP application, or if any other verification is required for processing.
A faxed or scanned signature page is acceptable for both paper and COMPASS applications.
People applying for LIHEAP, including registered COMPASS Community Partners who submit applications on behalf of their clients, have the option to e-sign the application for any benefit available through COMPASS.
When a party submits an application on behalf of an applicant, the applicant must acknowledge their rights and responsibilities by signing the application, an HSEA-4, or an affidavit giving the party permission to act on their behalf.
Applicants have 30 days to submit a COMPASS signature page.
The initials of the person who e-signed and the date of the submission must be displayed within the signature block on the COMPASS signature page.
CAPWEB displays an “E” behind the print status for all e-signature applications, the same as it does for COMPASS renewals.
The applicant is still required to submit all verification documents to the CAO. Verification documents can be mailed, faxed or uploaded through My COMPASS Account.
Reissued January 25, 2018, replacing June 30, 2016