The following information must be verified:
55 Pa. Code § 601.101; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.101
55 Pa. Code § 601.106; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.106
All household members must have a SSN. The CAO does not need to see a Social Security card, as SSNs are verified through e-CIS directly with the Social Security Administration. Children younger than 1 do not have to have a SSN. Household members who do not have or refuse to give a SSN must sign an energy assistance affidavit (HSEA-4), or complete question #2 of the Certification section on the LIHEAP application (HSEA-1).
Earned and unearned income.
55 Pa. Code § 601.102; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.102
The CAO does not have to document income of household members who receive SNAP, Cash Assistance or Medical Assistance benefits if the information is verified and on file in a case record or computer file in the CAO and the applicant indicates the income on file can be used. If there is a discrepancy between income reported on the HSEA-1 and what is in e-CIS, the CAO must ask for further documentation.
NOTE: If an applicant reports that he or she has little or no income, the CAO will request a completed Zero-Income Statement (HSEA-6) that satisfactorily explains how the household pays for its rent/mortgage, utility bills, groceries and other basic living costs. The CAO is not required to request the HSEA-6 if zero-income has already been verified and documented in the case record for SNAP or MA benefits.
55 Pa. Code § 601.103; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.103
Responsibility to pay heating costs.
55 Pa. Code § 601.104; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.104
NOTE: Households who were LIHEAP- eligible the previous season may have heating responsibility verification waived if the following have not changed: Payment name, address, main/primary fuel type, vendor (most recent if LIHEAP Cash was reissued to another vendor or household updated their vendor for a Crisis authorization), and account number.
55 Pa. Code § 601.105; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.105
Applicants living somewhere else temporarily because of an emergency or situation beyond their control must verify the circumstances.
Need for Crisis payment.
55 Pa. Code § 601.32; LIHEAP State Plan § 601.108
Noncitizen status.
Questionable information, such as who lives in the household when members listed on the LIHEAP application are not the same as those in CIS and e-CIS.
Reissued June 17, 2016, replacing February 15, 2013