99INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
346MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Chapter 24:HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RULE
Summary:TheruleestablishesstandardsfortheHomeEnergyAssistanceProgramfortheStateofMaineasadministeredbytheMaineStateHousingAuthority.TheHomeEnergyAssistanceProgramprovidesFuelAssistanceandEnergyCrisisInterventionProgramstolow-incomeEligibleHouseholds.Therulealsoestablishesstandardsforthe HEAPWeatherization, CentralHeating ImprovementPrograms, and Supplemental Benefits funded by TANF funds.
1.Definitions
A.“Act” meanstheMaine Housing AuthoritiesAct, 30-AM.R.S.A. §4701 et seq., asit may beamendedfromtimeto time.
B.“AnnualConsumptionReport” meansthe annualreportVendorsmustsubmit toMaineHousingtoreporttheirHEAPcustomers’ Home Energy deliveriesfromMay 1stthroughApril30th.
C.“Apartment”meansa Dwelling Unitwithin a multi-unitbuilding.
D.“Applicant” meansa personlistedasaHouseholdmember on a Primary Applicant’sApplication”.
E.“ApplicantHousehold” meanstheHouseholdmemberslisted onthe Applicationwhose CountableAssetswill be consideredwhendetermining eligibility forCHIPservices.AHouseholdmemberwillbe consideredto be partofthe ApplicantHouseholdifthey have a familialrelationshipwithora jointfinancialaccountwithanoccupying ownerof the Dwelling Unit.Fulltime highschool studentswould notbe consideredApplicantHouseholdmembersunlessthey are Primary Applicants.
F.“Application” meansformsanddocumentscompleted,signed, andprovidedby Primary Applicantto determine eligibility fora BenefitandECIP.
G.“Arrearage ManagementProgram(AMP)” meanstheprogram to assisteligible low-incomeresidentialcustomerswhoare inarrearson theirelectricity billsasdefined by 35-AM.R.S.A. §3214,sub-§2-A, asmay be amendedfromtime totime.
H.“Benefit”meansthedollaramountofFuelAssistance anEligible Householdreceives.
I.“BenefitReturn” meansa Benefit, partialorwhole, returned to MaineHousing.
J.“Boarder”meansaRoomerwhoisprovidedmealsandisnotrelated by birth, marriageor adoptionto the household.
K.“BTU”meansBritishThermalUnit.
L.“Camper” meansa trailer, semitrailer, truck camper, ormotorhome primarily designedandoriginallyconstructed toprovidetemporary living quartersforrecreational, camping, or traveluse regardlessofmodification(s) or length.
M.“CHIP” meansthe CentralHeating ImprovementProgramcomponent ofHEAP.
N.“Contractor”meansa provider ofmaterialsor servicestoEligible Households.
O.“Countable Asset” meansaresource thatisavailable tomeet the immediate andurgentneedsof aHousehold, andincludes: cashandfundson prepaid debitcards, money in a checking or savingsaccount(healthsavingsaccounts, educational funds, andburial accountsare excluded), stocksorbonds,U.S. Treasury bills,money marketfunds, andretirementaccountsprovidedthere are nopenaltiesorfeesfor withdrawals.
P.“Close-out”meansthe reconciliation ofreceiptsand useof allFuelAssistance andECIPfundsbyVendor. ItisVendor’sresponsibility to keepthisinformation by Eligible Householdandprovide itto MaineHousinguponrequest.
Q.“ConsumptionBased” meansthe methodfor determining anEligible Household’sHome Energyconsumptionusing actualenergy deliveriesasreportedbythe Vendor.
R.“Credit Notification Report” means the document sent to the Vendor guaranteeing payment post-delivery to Households eligible for Supplemental Benefits funded by TANF. The Credit Notification Report lists each Primary Applicant’s name, address, Supplemental Benefit amount, Home Energy type, and account information.
S.“CTE” meanstoclean, tune, andevaluate a Heating System to ensure safe andefficientoperation.
T.“Date of Application” meansthe date anApplicationisreceived bythe Subgrantee.
U.“Date of Discovery” meansthe date MaineHousingreceivesinformationrelating tosuspectedfraud.
V.“DHLC” meansthe designheatloadcalculationmethodfor estimatingHomeEnergy consumption.
W.“DirectEnergy Cost” meansanEnergy Costthatisdirectly paid bythe Household.
X.“DiscountOffRetail” meansthesevencents($0.07)deductedfrom a Vendor’sRetailCashPrice forall Home Energy deliveriesfor thefueltype listed on theVendorVoucherReportpaidwithBenefits.Discount Off Retail does not apply to the portion of a delivery paid by ECIP benefits or TANF Supplemental Benefits.
Y.“Dwelling Unit” meansanoccupiedresidentialhousing structure with oneormore roomsthatisusedcustomarily asa domicile for oneor more persons,whenpermanently connected to therequiredutilities(including plumbing, electricity andHeating Systems)andcontainsbathroomandkitchenfacilitiesspecific tothatunit. A Dwelling Unithasitsownprivate entrance fromthe outsideor offanenclosedhallway leading from the outsidethatdoesnotpassthroughor offeranopenaccessto any otherunitwithin the structure. A DwellingUnitdoesnot include a Camper, boat,railroadcar, bus, yurtor otherstructure designedandconstructed toprovidetemporary livingquarters.
Z.“ECIP” meansthe EnergyCrisisInterventionProgramcomponentof HEAP.
AA.“Elderly Person” meansa personwhois60yearsoldorolder, or amemberofanIndianTribe whois55 yearsold orolder.
AA.“Eligible Household” meansa Householdthatsatisfiesalleligibility andincome requirements oftheHEAPActandrequirementsofthisRule.
BB.“Energy Cost” meanscostofenergy usedforheating aDwelling Unit, Apartment,orRentalUnit.
CC.“Energy Crisis”shall have the same meaning assetforthin42 U.S.C.A. §8622(3), assame may beamendedfromtimeto time.The term"energy crisis" meansweather-relatedandsupply shortageemergenciesandotherhouseholdenergy-relatedemergencies.
DD.“ErrorsandProgramAbuse” meansthe actofobtainingassistance to whichone isnotentitled bymeansofsubmittingfalsestatementsorwithholding informationpertinent tothe determination ofeligibility or benefits. AlsoappliestoVendorswhoretainBenefitsthatshould bereturned oruseBenefitsforsomething otherthanintendedpurpose.
EE.“FuelAssistance” meansthecomponentofHEAPthatassistsEligible HouseholdswiththeirHome Energy costs.
FF.“HEAP” meanstheHomeEnergy Assistance Programestablishedpursuantto theHEAPActand the Act.
GG.“HEAPAct” means42U.S.C.A. §8621 et seq., and the regulationspromulgatedthere under,including 45 C.F.R. §96.1 through96.68 and45C.F.R. §96.80 et seq., allasmay be amendedfromtime to time.
HH.“HEAPHandbook” meansthe handbookineffectforthe currentProgramYearthatisusedasa resource andguide forthe administrationof HEAP.
II.“HEAPWeatherization” meansthe weatherizationcomponent ofHEAPthatprovidesLow-cost/no-costWeatherizationActivitiesandothercost-effective energy-related homerepairs.
JJ.“Heating Season” meanstheperiodoftime beginning October 1 andending April30.
KK.“Heating Source” meansany device used to provide heatto a Dwelling Unit.
LL.“Heating System”meansa permanently installedsystemthatisused toheat the Dwelling Unit. A portablespace heateris not consideredto bea Heating System.
MM.“Home Energy” meansa source of heatingor cooling inresidential dwellingsasset forthin42
U.S.C.A. §8622(6), assamemay be amendedfromtime to time.
NN.“Household” meansany individualor groupofindividualswhoare livingtogetherasone economicunitforwhomresidentialenergy iscustomarily purchasedincommon or whomakeundesignatedpaymentsforenergy in the formofrentas set forthin42 U.S.C.A. §8622(5), assamemay beamendedfromtimeto time.
OO.“HouseholdIncome” meansthe totalincome fromallsourcesbefore taxesanddeductionsasfurtherdefinedinthisRule.
PP.“IncidentalCosts”meanscostsofservicesbilled to a Household bya Vendorrelatedto the use ordelivery of Home Energy including, butnotlimitedto:surcharges, penalty charges,reconnectioncharges, cleanandrepairservice charges, security deposits, delivery charges, andinsurance.
QQ.“IncidentalRepairs”meansthose repairsnecessaryforthe effective performance orpreservation ofweatherizationmaterials.
RR.“IndianTribe” meansthePenobscotIndianNation,thePassamaquoddy IndianTribe, and theHoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansasdefinedintheMaine IndianClaimsSettlementAct, 30M.R.S.A. §6201 et seq., andthe AroostookBandofMicmacsasdefinedin theMicmac SettlementAct, 30 M.R.S.A. §7201 et seq.
SS.“IndirectDeterminable Energy Cost” meansa costforHome Energy used bytheHouseholdthatisnot directly paidfor bytheHousehold. Forexample, heatincludedaspartof the rentfor a RentalUnit.
TT.“Invitation toBid” or“RequestforProposals”meansthe processtosolicitbidsorproposalstosatisfy the requirementsofthisRule.
UU.“Live-inCare Attendant” meansa person, notconsideredpartof the Household, who; (i)isnotrelated by birth, marriage, oradoptionto any member ofthe Household; (ii)doesnotcontributefinancially to theHousehold; and(iii)providesneededhealth/supportive servicesto a memberofthe Householdasdocumented bya qualifiedprofessional.Live-incare attendantswho do notmeetall of these criteria are consideredpartof theHousehold.
VV.“Life Threatening Crisis” meansthe householdiscurrently withoutheator utility serviceto operate aHeating Source or a Heating System.
WW.“Low-cost/no-costWeatherizationActivities” meansthose activitiesauthorizedpursuantto10
C.F.R. §440.20, asmay be amendedfromtime to time.
XX.“MaineHousing” meanstheMaine State Housing Authority.
YY.“Manufactured/Mobile Home” meansa residence thatisconstructedata manufacturing facility on apermanentchassis(i.e. thewheelassembly necessary totransport theresidence isremovable, but thesteelundercarriage remainsintactasa necessary structuralcomponent)andistransportable in oneormore sections, whichintraveling mode is12body feet or moreinwidthandaserected on siteis600or more square feet.
ZZ.“Modular”meansa residence thatisconstructedat a manufacturingfacility, butnotconstructed on apermanentchassis, andistransportable inone ormoresectionsonanindependentchassissuchasatruck ortrain.
AAA.“Non-occupying Co-owner”meansa personwhosharesa legalownershipinterestinthe DwellingUnitoccupied by the ApplicantHousehold.The Non-occupying Co-ownerdoesnotreside intheDwelling Unitbeing consideredforCHIPservices.
BBB.“Notice ofTerminationofSubgrantee” meansa writtenstatementnotifying the Subgrantee of thecause andeffective date ofitstermination.
CCC.“OpenEnrollment” meansperiodoftime a vendorcanrequestand/orfile anapplication toparticipate asa contractedVendor.
DDD. “Overpayment”meansanyHEAPbenefitspaid to,or onbehalf of, any Applicant orHouseholdthatexceedsthe amountthe Applicant or Householdwaseligible to receive.
EEE.“Personwith a Disability” meansa personwho(1)hasa physical ormentalimpairmentthatsubstantially limitsoneormore of a person’smajorlife activities; (2)hasa physical ormentalimpairmentthatsignificantlyimpairsphysicalormentalhealth, whichmeanshaving anactual orexpecteddurationofmore than 6 monthsandimpairinghealth to a significantextentascomparedtowhatisordinarily experiencedin the generalpopulation;(3)hasa physical ormentalimpairmentthatrequiresspecial education, vocational rehabilitation orrelatedservices; (4)haswithoutregard toseverity unlessotherwise indicated, absent, artificial or replacementlimbs,hands,feetor vital organs;alcoholism; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; autism,bipolardisorder; blindnessor abnormal visionloss;cancer; cerebral palsy; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Crohn’sdisease; cysticfibrosis;deafnessor abnormal hearingloss;diabetes;substantial disfigurement; drug addiction;emotionalillness; epilepsy; heartdisease; HIVor AIDS; kidney orrenal diseases; lupus;majordepressivedisorder; mastectomy; mental retardation;multiplesclerosis;musculardystrophy;paralysis;Parkinson’sdisease; pervasive developmentdisorders;rheumatoidarthritis; schizophrenia; speechimpairment, andacquiredbraininjury; (5)hasa record ofany of the physical ormentalimpairmentsdescribedinthe foregoing clauses(1)through(4); or(6)isregardedashaving orislikelyto developany of the physical ormentalimpairmentsdescribedinthe foregoing clauses(1)through(4).Theexistence of a physical or mentaldisability isdeterminedwithoutregard tothe ameliorative effectsofmitigating measuressuchasmedication, auxiliary aidsor prosthetic devices.
A physical ormentaldisability or impairmentdoesnotinclude pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism,sexualbehaviordisorders, compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania, tobaccosmoking, oranyconditioncoveredunder 5M.R.S.A. §4553,sub-§9-C .It doesnotinclude psychoactive substanceuse disordersresultingfromcurrentillegal useof drugs, althoughthismay not be construedtoexclude aperson whohassuccessfully completed a superviseddrugrehabilitationprogramandisnolongerengaging inthe illegal useofdrugsorhasotherwise beenrehabilitatedsuccessfully andisnolongerengaging insuchuse;isparticipating in a supervisedrehabilitationprogramandisno longerengaging insuchuse; iserroneously regardedasengaging insuchuse, butisnotengaging insuchuse;or inthe contextof a reasonable accommodationinemploymentisseeking treatmentor hassuccessfully completedtreatment.
FFF.“Price ProtectionPlan” meansanagreementbetweenVendorand a customer topurchase HomeEnergy atanagreeduponprice.
GGG. “Primary Applicant” meansaperson whosignsthe completedApplication.
HHH.“Priority Applicant” meansa Householdwith a DirectEnergy Costaswellasa memberintheHouseholdwhois(i)anElderly Person, or(ii)susceptible to hypothermia asdiagnosed by anddocumented byastatementfrom aphysician, or(iii)twenty-fourmonths(24)of ageor under.
III.“Programs” meansFuelAssistance, ECIP, CHIP, andHEAPWeatherization.
JJJ.“ProgramYear” meanstheperiodoftime beginning October 1 andending September30.
KKK.“RentalUnit”meansa Dwelling Unitthatisrented.
LLL.“Reporting Vendor” meansa Vendorwhoiscontractually obligated to reportthe Home Energydeliveriesthe Vendorhasmade on behalfofanEligibleHousehold.
MMM.“RetailCashPrice” meansthe postedprice a VendorchargesforHome Energy pergallon.
NNN.“Roomer” meansapersonwhoqualifiesasa separateHouseholdandpursuant toa rentalagreementrents no more thantworoomsin a Dwelling Unitoccupiedasseparate livingquartersandwhomay,depending uponthe rentalagreement, be grantedprivilegesto use, butnotreside in,otherroomslocatedin thesameDwelling Unit.A Roomercannotbe related by birth, marriage oradoption toany memberof the lessor’sHousehold.
OOO.“Service Area” meansthe geographic area, asdefined byMaineHousing, withinwhich the SubgranteeoperatesandadministersthePrograms.
PPP.“SocialSecurity Benefits” meanssocialsecurity incomebenefitspursuanttoTitle IIof theUnitedStatesSocial Security Actof1935 andsupplemental security income benefitspursuantTitle XVIoftheUnitedStatesSocial Security Act of1935, asamended, 42 U.S.C. §1381 et seq., andStatesupplemental income benefitsprovidedpursuant to 22M.R.S.A. §3201 et seq., all asmay beamendedfromtimeto time.
QQQ.“State” meansthe State ofMaine.
RRR.“Subgrantee” meansapublicor private nonprofitagency, or municipality,selectedby MaineHousingto administerthe Programs.
SSS.“SubsidizedHousing”meansHouseholdswhose rentisbased on theirincome or thesubsidy paysfor any portion oftheirmortgage. Housing inwhich a tax credit orfederal/state loanisappliedtoreduce debtburden onthe property isnotconsideredSubsidizedHousing.Aresident of aresidential housingfacility including withoutlimitationgrouphomes, homelessshelters, andresidential care facilitiesora Tenantwhopaysbelow marketrentor norentdueto the landlordreceiving a federal orstatesubsidy forrentisliving inSubsidizedHousing.
TTT.“SupplementalBenefits” meansthe benefitsthatarefundedwithsupplementalHEAPfunds(beyond the originalgrantaward)
UUU.“SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram(SNAP)”meansthe nutritionassistance programadministered bythe UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture. The goalsofSNAPare to improveparticipants' foodsecurity andtheiraccessto a healthy diet.
VVV.“TANF”meanspaymentsunder theTemporary Assistance for NeedyFamiliesprogramasdefinedin22 M.R.S.A., Chapter1053-B, §3762 et seq, assamebe amendedfromtime totime.
Supplemental Benefits” means the benefits that are funded with TANF funds pursuant to 22 M.R.S.A., Chapter 1053-B,§3769-E.
XXX.“Tenant” meansanApplicantwhoresidesin a RentalUnit or Apartment.
YYY.“Vendor” meansanenergy supplierthathasenteredintoa VendorAgreementwithMaineHousingto provide Home Energy toEligible Households.
ZZZ.“VendorAgreement”meansa signedagreementbetweenMaineHousing and a Vendorthatcontainstermsandconditionsby which the VendorwillprovideHome Energy to Eligible Households.
AAAA.“VendorVoucherReport”meansthe documentsent tothe VendorthatlistsEligible Households’Benefits, including eachPrimary Applicant’sname, address, phone number,Benefitamount,HomeEnergy type, accountinformation, andSubgrantee.
BBBB.“Watch List”meansthe MaineHousinglistof Vendorsthatwill notreceive paymentinadvance forEligible Households’Benefits. Inthe eventMaineHousing determines, initssole judgment, basedonVendor’sactionsor omissionsorotherinformationobtained by MaineHousing directly or fromanythirdparty, thatsuchactions, omissionsorotherinformationraise issuesconcerningVendor’scontinuedability tomake Home Energy deliveriesor otherwise comply with thetermsof the VendorAgreement, orthatVendor’sperformance isoutofcompliance with the requirements of the VendorAgreement, MaineHousingmay, initssole discretion,place Vendor on thislist.
CCCC.“WeatherizationAssistanceProgram(WAP)”meansthe programenabledandfunded bythe federalEnergy ConservationinExistingBuildingsActof1976,assame may be amendedfromtime totime.Itspurpose isto increase theenergy efficiency of dwellingsownedoroccupied by low-incomepersons, reduce theirtotalresidentialenergy expenditures, andimprovetheirhealthandsafety.
DDDD.“WeatherizationMaterials”shallhave thesame meaningassetforthinPart Aof theEnergyConservationinExisting BuildingsActof1976, 42 U.S.C. §§6861, 6862(9), assamemay be amendedfromtime totime.
2.Application
A.AnApplicantmay have onlyone certifiedeligiblestandardApplicationand/or oneECIPApplicationperProgramYear.
B.AnApplicantmay resubmita new Applicationifthe Household’sApplicationhaseitherbeendeniedor withdrawnany time priorto the issuance of a Benefit.
C.The Applicationwill be processedinaccordance with therequirementsofthisSection:
1.The Subgrantee willbegintaking Applicationsasprescribed by MaineHousing eachProgramYear.
2.ASubgranteewill continuetakingApplicationsuntilJuly 15 (orthe firstbusiness dayfollowingJuly 15 ifitfallsona weekend)oftheProgram Year.
3.The Subgrantee shallacceptApplicationsduringnormalbusinesshours, whichshallconsistof a minimumofthirty (30)hoursduring eachweek throughApril30 and aminimum ofeight(8)hoursduring eachweek May 1 throughJuly 15of theProgramYear.
4.TheSubgranteemustuseformsprovidedorapprovedbyMaineHousingtoadministerthePrograms.
5.The Subgrantee willmake a reasonable andgood-faitheffortduringthe firstninety (90)daysittakesApplicationstointerview,process,andservePriority Applicantswhohave a DirectEnergy Cost.
6.The Subgrantee willmake a reasonable andgood-faitheffortto conductoutreachactivitiesandprocessapplicationsforany Householdthathaswoodasitsprimary HomeEnergysource within thefirstninety(90)daysoftaking Applicationsforthe ProgramYear.
7.AtApplicant’srequest,the Subgrantee mustmake reasonable accommodationsfor aPersonwith a Disability.
8.Any Applicantmay apply via telephone. The telephoneApplicationprocessincludescompleting the Applicationover the telephone withtheSubgrantee administering theProgramsinthe Service Area inwhich the Householdresides; the Subgrantee mailsthecompletedApplicationandotherappropriate documentstothe Primary Applicantforreview, signature, anddate.
9.LimitedEnglishProficiency (LEP)canbea barrierto accessing importantbenefitsorservices, understanding andexercising importantrights,complying withapplicableresponsibilities, orunderstanding otherinformationprovided bythe HEAPprogram.InordertoaddressthisconcernSubgranteesmustcomply withMaineHousing’sLanguageAssistance Plan.
10.Applicationmust bemade with the Subgrantee administering theProgramsin the ServiceArea inwhich the Householdresides. Inthe eventanApplicationisreceived byaSubgrantee for a Householdresiding in a Service Area otherthanthe Subgrantee’sdesignatedService Area, theSubgrantee shallnotify the Primary Applicantof the errorandforwardthe Applicationandsupportingdocumentationto the applicable Subgrantee.
11.Primary Applicantisresponsible forproviding allinformationnecessary to establish theeligibility of a Household.The Subgrantee mustverify the income andidentityof theApplicant(s)asprescribedby HEAPHandbook.
The Subgrantee shall verifyPrimary Applicant’sidentityby requesting a validgovernment-issued, photoidentificationcard.Oneofthe following isacceptable to establishtheidentityof thePrimary Applicant:
a.Driver’slicense;
b.State issued IDcard;
c.Passportorpassportcard;
d.U.S. MilitaryID;or
e.SNAPelectronicbenefittransfer(EBT)cardwithphoto.
12.AllApplicant(s)twoyearsofage or oldermustprovide proofof theirSocialSecurityNumber(SSN), unless the Applicant’s SSN can be verified by using the electronic verification process established between MaineHousing and the Social Security Administration. Oneof thefollowing documentsisacceptable provideditcontainsall ninedigitsof the Applicant’sSSNand the Applicant’sfull name:
a.Social Security Cardissuedbythe Social Security Administration;
b.SSA-1099 tax form;
c.Non SSA-1099tax form;
d.Medicare cardwithcardnumberending with thesuffix“A”;
e.ValidunexpiredU.S. Military documents suchas DDForm214 Certificate ofRelease orDischargefromActive Duty issued bytheU.S. Department ofDefense;
f.Bank tax form; or
g.W-2 (wage andtax statement).
If the Householdincludesachildunderthe age of twowhohasnotreceived a SSN,theApplicationisprocessed.However, the Primary Applicantmustprovide the child’sSSNforsubsequentProgramYearApplications.
If a Householdmemberisnot a U.S. citizen, Applicantmustprovide a Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration or anunexpiredforeignpassportwith a validunexpiredU.S. Visa affixedaccompanied bythe approvedI-94formdocumenting the Applicant'smostrecentadmittance intothe UnitedStates, anddocumentationof Applicant’sstatusasa qualifiedalienpursuantto the PersonalResponsibility andWorkOpportunity ReconciliationActof 1996, 8 USC §1641,suchasalegal permanentresident, a refugee, anasylee, anindividual paroledintothe U.S. for aperiodofatleastone (1)year, anindividualwhose deportationhasbeenwithheld, or anindividual grantedconditional entry.
13.Aspartof the applicationprocessallApplicants18 yearsof age or oldermustsign a releaseto grantpermission tosharetheirpersonalinformation,asfollows:
a.Maine DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices, theMaine DepartmentofLabor,and the SocialSecurity Administrationtoshare informationwiththe Subgrantee orMaineHousing regarding informationrelevant tothe ApplicationabouttheApplicantateach of those agencies, including thebenefitsreceivedfromeachofthose agencies.
b.Subgrantee andMaineHousing to provide information toandobtaininformationfromthe agencieslistedabove or othersasneeded to determine andconfirmeligibility forMaineHousingprogramsandotherprogramsadministered bytheSubgrantee.
c.Subgrantee andMaineHousing to disclose Applicantinformationforthedetermination of eligibility forprogramsadministered by State, federal, andlocalagencies.
D.The information on anApplicationmay be consideredconflicting ifitisinconsistentwithverbalinformationprovidedby anApplicant,withotherinformation onthe Application,withpriorProgramYearApplications,or withinformationreceived froma thirdparty.
1.No informationreceivedfrom a thirdparty, otherthana governmentagency, will beusedto determine eligibility, unlessitisverifiedby anindependent, reliable source.
2.In the case where anApplicant'seligibility isinquestionbecause of conflictinginformationreceivedfrom a thirdparty, the Subgranteeor MaineHousing shallallowthePrimary Applicantanopportunity to amend the currentApplicationorreaffirmtheinformationonit.PrimaryApplicantmay alsowithdraw Applicationatany time(priortopayment ofBenefit).A newApplication(ratherthanamended)would berequiredshouldanApplicantpursue assistance afterwithdrawal.
3.If the Primary Applicantelectsnotto amendthe Application, eligibility shall be based oninformationcontainedinthe Applicationanddocumentationprovided by the PrimaryApplicant,documentationprovided bya governmentagency, or informationverifiedbyothersources.
4.If verifiedinformationresultsin theHouseholdbeing ineligible or determinestheexistence of ErrorsandProgramAbuseor willfulmisrepresentation, the Applicationmaybe subjecttodenial ortermination ofBenefits.
E.The Subgrantee willcertify ordeny anApplicationwithinthirty (30)businessdaysfrom the Date ofApplication.
1.Writtennotificationof eligibility will besentto thePrimary Applicantwithin(10)tencalendardaysof the decisionor whenfunding isavailable, whicheverislater.The benefitnotificationshall:
a.State the Benefitamount;
b.State the date theBenefitwassent to the Vendor;
c.State the approved Home Energy type;
d.State the mannerby whichthe Primary Applicantcanrequestanappeal, if applicable.
2.Writtennotificationof denial mustbesentto the Primary Applicantwithin(3)threebusinessdayswhetherfunding isavailable or not.The denial notificationshall:
a.State the factssurrounding the decision;
b.State the reason(s)forthe decision;
c.State the mannerby whichthe Applicantcanrequestanappeal.
A denial formissing informationwill be rescindedifthe requiredinformationisreceivedbythe Subgrantee within(15)fifteenbusinessdaysfromthe date of the denialnotification.
3.Eligibility
A.Exceptasmay be expresslyprovidedfor elsewhere inthisRule, eligibility shall be determined onthebasisofinformationsubmitted bythe Primary Applicantasof the Date of Application.MaineHousing andSubgranteesreservethe right to ask foradditional or clarifying informationfromPrimary Applicant, Applicant(s),or thirdpartiesto determine eligibility.
B.A Householdmay be eligible for SupplementalBenefitsor TANF Supplemental Benefits ifavailable.
C.MaineHousing usesthefederalPovertyIncome Guidelinesasreportedannually by the UnitedStatesDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.MaineHousing reservesthe right tomanage theProgramswithinthose guidelineswhendetermining benefits.MaineHousing willdetermine eligibilitybased on the availability of federalfundingforthe Programsduring eachProgramYear.
D.Dwelling UnitEligibility.
1.The Dwelling Unitmusthave a functioningHeating System.Ifthe dwelling doesnothavea functioningHeating System, the Subgrantee may certify the ApplicationforCHIPonlyprovidedthe Applicationis complete andallapplicabledocumentationhasbeenprovided.
2.If the dwelling isnotpermanently connected toorserviced bythe requiredutilities,theSubgrantee willobtainadditionaldocumentation tosubstantiate the Householdoccupiesthe dwelling asitsprimary residence on a full-time/year-roundbasis.
3.Applicantsresiding inSubsidizedHousingwithheatincludedintheirrentmay be eligibleforFuelAssistance if the Householdpaysa portionof theirrentor utility costs.MaineHousing willissue a BenefitinanamountwhichcomplieswithMaine law tomaximize benefitsunderSNAP.
4.AnApplicantwhoisself-employedandusespartoftheirDwellingUnitforbusiness
mayapply forthe Programs.Benefitswillbe determinedbased on the roomsoccupiedandused bythe Applicantsasa residence; thatpart ofthe Dwelling Unitdesignated forbusinessuse will notbe included.
5.Applicantswhoreside inhotelsandmotelsmay be eligible for FuelAssistance iftheHouseholdprovidesdocumentationthatthe hotel/motelhasbeentheirpermanentresidence foratleastsixty (60)dayspriorto the DateofApplication.
6.If a Household’sApplicationhasbeencertifiedeligible,butall Applicantsmove toSubsidizedHousingwithheatincluded or anineligible Dwelling Unitpriorto theBenefitbeing paid, Householdmay not be eligible for the entireBenefitdepending onDateofApplicationandHome Energy use during currentProgramYear.
7.A Householdisnot eligible forProgramswhenthe Householdresidesin a Camper,regardlessof any andallmodification(s)orlength,boat,railroadcar, bus, yurtor otherstructure designedandconstructed to providetemporaryliving quarters.
E.HouseholdEligibility.
1.A Householdiseligiblefor aBenefitif, onthe Date ofApplication:
a.itisa full-time residentof the State andresidesinthe Dwelling full-timeforatleastfour(4)monthsduring theHeating Seasonand;
b.itintendstoreside inthe State throughApril 30 and;
c.ithasa DirectEnergy Costor IndirectDeterminable Energy Cost.
If the Date of Applicationis on or afterFebruary 1,theHouseholdmay be eligible for aBenefitif the Householdprovidesdocumentationthatithasbeen a full-time residentofthe State foratleast60 days.
2.Pursuant todefinitionofHousehold, Eligible HouseholdMembersmay alsoinclude:
a.alienswhohave obtainedthe statusof analienlawfully admittedfortemporaryresidence underSection210of theImmigrationandNationality Act byapproval of anapplicationandare categorizedasSpecialAgricultural Workers(SAW)whoperformseasonalagriculturalwork during aspecifiedperiod oftime;
b.analienwhohasobtainedthe statusof analienlawfully admittedfortemporaryresidence underSection245Aof theImmigrationandNationality Act byapproval of anapplicationandwhoisaged, blindand/ordisabledasdefinedinSection1605 oftheSocialSecurity Act(PublicLaw 74-271) or CubanorHaitianaliensasdefinedinPublic Law 96-422,Section501(e).Applicantsareconsideredeligible ifthey haveaSocial Security card issued by the Social Security Administration, GreenCard orshowpermanentResidents(I-551 AlienRegistrationCard,Passport, I-688BEmploymentauthorizationcard,I-766 EmploymentAuthorizationDocument, I-94 withR-1or R-2statusdesignation).I-94 documentswithno statusdesignatedonly showpermissionto enterthe U.S. butdo notestablishresidency;
c.Eligible minorchildrenresiding withineligible non-citizens;
d.a member ofthe Householdwhoisaway from thehomepart ofthe time isincludedasa Householdmemberandtheirincome mustbe included on theApplication;
e.a live-incare attendantwillbe consideredpartof the Householdif thelive-incare attendantdoesnotmeet the definitionof a Live-inCare AttendantinSection 1ofthisRule.
3.A full-time collegestudent,up to age 23, who is a dependent of the Household and resides in the Dwelling Unit on the Date of Application, may be excluded from the Household if the Primary Applicant chooses as long as the college student is not the Primary Applicant. If excluded from the Household, his or her income would not be counted. The Applicant must provide proof of student status and enrollment ata university,vocational college, businesscollege, or otheraccreditedinstitutionfortwelve (12)credithoursormorepersemester.