The CAO has the discretion to use all available resources to establish verification of required information.
Social Security Numbers-
SSN's are verified through e-CIS directly with the Social Security Administration
Household members who do not provide 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/Unearned Income-
Pay stubs, benefit award letters or photocopies of these documents
A letter from a person paying voluntary support that includes the person's address and telephone number, the amount of support paid and how often it is paid.
Automated sources such as CIS, e-CIS and exchanges 1,2,3, and 6 of the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS).
Heating Responsibility/ Need for Crisis Payment-
Deliverable-fuel bills from January of the previous heating season and forward, utility bills dated two months or less from the date of application to verify heating responsibility, or a landlord statement (HSEA-36) to verify heat is included in the rent.
NOTE: In certain situations, such as the death of a spouse or credit problems, the heating bill may be in the name of someone other than the applicant. The applicant must give written proof of address other than the heating bill and explain why the bill is in another person's name. If the landlord’s name is on the heating bill, the applicant must show the lease or a statement from the landlord saying that the applicant is responsible for paying heating costs directly to the fuel supplier.
A utility termination notice showing that service has been shut off or will be shut off within 60 days or a statement from the applicant that his or her deliverable fuel supply will run out within 15 days.
Provided workers properly document third-party verification, the CAO can use websites, hotlines and other sources to verify a household’s heating responsibility or that a vendor has provided or will provide service to a household. If the workers use these forms of collateral contact, they must thoroughly narrate:
The name of the vendor
Account number
The fuel type
Whether it is a primary or secondary heating source
The date and time of the contact
The name of the person they spoke to or the website and web address or hotline they used
Any other important case details arising from the contact
NOTE: CAOs may process the cash benefit and a crisis payment in e-CIS after receiving verbal confirmation from a utility company representative stating that the company agrees to reconnect service for the combined Cash and Crisis benefit amount. Thoroughly narrate these situations.
Residence/ Household Composition-
Fuel bills, utility bills, rent receipts, mortgage statements or a landlord statement (HSEA-36)
A doctor’s statement or a letter from the Board of Health confirming the reason why the household is not living at its permanent residence.
A household composition verification statement (PA 1796).
Non-citizen Status-
Updated August 11, 2023, replacing September 19, 2018