A household may have a home-heating emergency because of weatherization-related issues, including the following:
LIHEAP State Plan § 601.62
Broken furnace
Frozen pipes if the pipes are heat-related and cannot be repaired by a plumber
Broken gas or other fuel lines when the lines feed the primary heating source. If excavation which would be considered the client’s responsibility is needed in the repair or installation of gas or fuel lines, it is an allowable expense if the expense is reasonable. The utility company should be contacted by the Weatherization agency to confirm the responsibility of gas or fuel line repair or installation.
Broken water-heating system, including water pumps and accessories, if the system is essential for producing home heat
Crisis weatherization benefits may include purchase of a new heating system if documentation is provided that the present system cannot be repaired or repairs will correct the problem only temporarily
LIHEAP eligibility for the Crisis component of the program is determined by the local CAO based on income levels determined by DHS. The eligible income level for Crisis services is determined annually by DHS and is currently set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
A housing unit will not be eligible for Emergency Services if:
The housing unit was purchased or rented without a heating system
The housing unit is unoccupied
The housing unit is not a primary residence.
The housing unit has been condemned or deemed uninhabitable by local, state, or federal authorities.
It is a manufactured home moved to a location that does not allow its heating system’s current fuel type.
The services prescribed to remedy the weather-related emergency are outside the scope of Emergency Services.
The weather-related emergency does not exist or the Crisis has already been resolved.
Health and Safety issues in the home prevent Emergency Services from being provided.
The client or client’s landlord is uncooperative, unavailable, or refuses to allow Emergency Services to be conducted within required timeframes or at all.
The Weatherization Agency discovers income or household information at the time of the visit which is inconsistent with the information reported to the CAO.
NOTE: The CAO can reject an Emergency Services request without a referral if it is determined the household meets a rejection criterion.
A housing unit may not be eligible for Emergency Services but may be considered on a case by case basis by the weatherization agency if the following is true:
The heating appliance isn’t installed and operating based on the manufacturer’s specifications or current code requirements, whichever is more stringent, and isn’t following all applicable building and fire codes.
The heating appliance has not been operating within the last two heating seasons from the date of application. A furnace that has not been working for that long of a period of time cannot be considered to be a weather-related emergency. The applicant must provide proof of the home heating emergency.
Fuel type/source is changed by landlord.
Home is in foreclosure process.
When the Weatherization Agency personnel find that an applicant’s situation may not meet Emergency Services eligibility criteria or conflicts materially with the referral provided by the CAO, the CAO will be notified immediately of the finding.
Applicants may appeal a Emergency Services rejection. All appeals will go through the CAO.
If an applicant asks for Emergency Services and is determined eligible, the CAO must take the following actions:
On the same day that eligibility is determined, fax or e-mail a DCED/DHS Crisis Interface Referral Form (HSEA-40) with Part A completed to the local weatherization agency. See LIHEAP Forms And Publications for a copy of the (HSEA-40).
Enter on the "Weatherization" screen that a Crisis Weatherization request was received (Do not wait for the completed referral to be returned from the Weatherization agency)
Scan the (HSEA-40). If faxed, scan the fax confirmation sheet. If e-mailed save the e-mail for 1 year.
The weatherization agency must address the crisis situation within 48 hours of receipt of the referral or within 18 hours if the crisis is considered life-threatening
NOTE: A life-threatening situation is defined as a documented medical emergency. This documentation must come from a medical professional and should be related to a specific medical condition of a household member; documentation should be retained in imaging or case comments using collateral contact narration guidelines.
Upon resolution of the crisis, the weatherization agency will complete Part B of the (HSEA-40) and return it to the CAO for data entry
Scan and attach the returned (HSEA-40)
Thoroughly narrate all details for this Weatherization
If the weatherization agency cannot process the request for Emergency Services, the CAO must send a denial notice to the applicant.
NOTE: If a complaint is received on work that was provided by a Weatherization agency, that agency is responsible for the appeal. If an appeal is received regarding a denial of assistance DHS is responsible for the appeal.
Updated August 15, 2025, replacing August 21, 2024