The following information must be verified:
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.
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 they have 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. To be verified and documented, there must be a valid explanation on file of how the household pays for basic living costs. The household can provide a written or verbal statement to explain how they pay for basic living costs in lieu of completing the HSEA-6. A verbal statement should be thoroughly narrated.
Responsibility to pay heating costs.
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.
Applicants living somewhere else temporarily because of an emergency or situation beyond their control must verify the circumstances.
Need for Crisis payment.
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.
Updated August 20, 2024, replacing August 17, 2022