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Everyone who wishes to apply must be given the opportunity to apply without delay. The applicant must be allowed to sign an application, DSS-8178, on the day he:
• Appears at the county department of social services; or
• Appears at an agency that is taking applications per the county's plan. (See EP 200.)
A. Acceptance of Application
Application taking must begin on the first working day of July and continue until the Energy Neighbor allocation is exhausted or until the end of the current State fiscal year, whichever occurs first.
1. The applicant or his representative must apply for Energy Neighbor in the county in which the household resides. The applicant must be a resident of North Carolina.
2. When you receive a request for assistance by mail or telephone and a crisis is indicated, follow-up within one work day to schedule an interview. If the request is made by an individual who would have difficulty coming to a county department of social services or outpost office, obtain the information for the application by telephone. (See Section EP 400 for more information regarding telephone interviews.) Mail the person an application to sign. If a life-threatening situation exists, a home visit to obtain the needed information may be necessary if the information can not be obtained by some other means.
3. If the applicant or his representative decides not to apply, complete the inquiry. Include as much information about the situation as possible.
4. You must research your county files to determine if anyone listed on the DSS-8178 has received Energy Neighbor funds before.
B. Who must be included In the application?
The same rules apply as those in LIEAP and CIP. See Section 150 for instructions on who must be included.
C. Explanation of Rights and Responsibilities
1. Explain to the applicant he has the right to:
a. Receive assistance if found eligible.
b. Have any person participate in the interview for determination of eligibility.
c. Be protected against discrimination on the grounds of race, creed, or national origin by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He may appeal such discrimination through Section 504 of the Disability Act.
d. Have any information given to the agency kept in confidence.
e. Appeal if:
(1) He was denied the right to apply for assistance on the same day he or his representative went to the county department of social services;
(2) His application was denied;
(3) His assistance was incorrect based on the county's interpretation of State regulations; or
(4) A decision is not made on his application within 24 to 48 hours.
f. Reapply at anytime.
g. Withdraw from the assistance program at anytime.
2. Explain to the applicant he has the responsibility to:
a. Provide the county department of social services the necessary information which can be used to locate and obtain information needed to determine eligibility; and
b. Report immediately to the county department of social services the receipt of benefits, which he knows to be erroneous. If he does not report such incorrect payments, he may be required to repay any overpayment.
3. Explain the meaning of fraud to the applicant.
D. Completion of the DSS-8178 During the Application Interview
1. Document the applicant's responses to the questions on the DSS-8178.
2. As part of the interview process, determine what other services may be appropriate to meet the crisis. Document on the DSS-8178 which services were provided.
3. The applicant must sign the DSS-8178.
E. Eligibility Determination
When you complete the interview, verify all necessary factors of eligibility to determine if the household is eligible.
The household must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to be eligible for Energy Neighbor.
1. Income
Household meets income eligibility if the total household's members' countable income is equal to or less than 150% of the current poverty level. Use the chart in Section 400 of the Energy Manual to determine income limits, countable and excluded income, and income deductions.
To determine income eligibility, use actual income received (and anticipated to be received) in the month of application. Do not convert.
2. A crisis situation must exist. See 500.05 below.
However, the temperature outside does not determine whether a crisis exists.
Document eligibility verification on the DSS-8178.
Receipt of Energy Neighbor benefits does not effect a households eligibility for LIEAP, CIP, Emergency Assistance, etc.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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