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A household is in a crisis if it is experiencing or is in danger of experiencing a life-threatening or health-related emergency and sufficient, timely, and appropriate assistance is not available from any other source.
NOTE: The temperature outside is not the sole determining factor for a Crisis.
A. Crisis Determination
1. Guidelines For Determining If a Crisis Exists
The following guidelines are considered to support a decision that a crisis exists.
If the answer to all the questions below is No, the applicant is not experiencing a crisis.
If the answer to one or more questions is Yes, it may be determined that a crisis exists. Counties must use prudent judgement. This is not an all-inclusive list. Consider the following guidelines to determine if a crisis exists.
a. Has the family experienced an event beyond its control?
(1) The household is experiencing unusual and/or unexpected expenses; or
(2) There is a decrease in the household's income.
NOTE: If there is no unusual and/or unexpected expense, decrease in the client's income, or if the client has misspent his income, the household may still be considered to be in a crisis situation if the answer to "b." is Yes.
b. Is there no source of heating or cooling, or is the source of heating or cooling in jeopardy? or
(1) The fuel supply is exhausted or terminated;
(2) The notice has been received notifying the household of termination of the heating or cooling source; or
(3) The heating or cooling source is in need of repair.
c. Once you determine a crisis exists, you must still determine if payment is needed to meet the crisis, or is there some other way to alleviate the situation?
(1) Does the applicant have sufficient resources, such as a savings or checking account to alleviate the crisis himself? Explore whether other family members may be able to offer assistance or support; or
(2) Explore with the applicant whether he or a member of the household will have income that can be used to meet the emergency. For example, the applicant has a cutoff notice for electricity but has ten days to pay the bill. In the interview, you determine that the applicant will begin receiving unemployment insurance in five days.
(3) Decide whether there are other community resources that can be used to alleviate the crisis.
(4) Will the fuel supplier agree to continue service until the applicant receives his next check?
(5) Explore if the applicant has a history of being in a crisis situation. If so, it is preferable to use other resources to assist in alleviating the situation. To maximize the $300 limitation in Energy Neighbor, explore all other resources to assist in alleviating the situation.
2. Verification and Documentation
a. Verify that a crisis exists by either:
(1) Accepting the applicant's statement, unless questionable;
(2) Viewing bills; or
(3) Contacting collaterals, such as neighbors, vendors, landlords, etc.
b. Documentation should include but not be limited to:
(1) Date of application;
(2) Statement of crisis; and
(3) Method of verification.
If you use the applicant's statement, document what he says and the date. When you use other evidence, show the type of document used and the date. When using collaterals, show the collateral's name, date, and statement.
If the DSS-8178 does not allow space for proper documentation, attach additional sheets as needed.
B. Time Frames for Authorizing Assistance
1. Time Frame For Authorizing Assistance When Crisis Is Not Life-Threatening
If a household is experiencing a crisis which is not life-threatening, authorize benefits within 48 hours (2 days). This does not mean issuance of benefits, but you must authorize eligibility to alleviate the crisis. These deadlines apply even if another agency is taking the application.
2. Time Frame For Authorizing Assistance When Crisis Is Life-Threatening
Since the household is experiencing a life-threatening situation, authorize benefits within 18 hours. This does not mean issuance of benefits, but you must authorize eligibility to alleviate the crisis. These deadlines apply even if another agency is taking the application.
C. Notification of Eligibility
1. If assistance is approved, use the Data Entry System to complete a DSS-8107.
2. If assistance is withdrawn or denied, use the Data Entry System to complete a DSS-8107.
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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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