Current through Register Vol. 54, No.43, October 26, 2024
Section 601.31 - General eligibility requirementsTo qualify for LIHEAP cash or crisis benefits, a household shall meet the following requirements at the time of application:
(1)Income limit. The gross annual income of an eligible household shall equal or be less than 150% of the poverty level established for Pennsylvania by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The limits, which are subject to change annually, are published in each year's LIHEAP State Plan.(2)Responsibility for heating costs. For a cash benefit, the household shall be responsible for paying for its main source of heat either directly to a vendor or indirectly as an undesignated part of rent. For a crisis benefit, the household shall be responsible for paying for either its main or second source of heat either directly to a vendor or indirectly as an undesignated part of rent. (i) The following persons and members of their households are considered to have a home heating responsibility: (A) Home owners or renters, including subsidized housing tenants, who pay for home heating fuel or utility service directly to a vendor.(B) Renters, including subsidized housing tenants, who pay for heat indirectly as an undesignated part of rent. Renters, including subsidized housing tenants, are ineligible if their rental charge includes an undesignated amount for heat and is based on a fixed percentage of their income or on their source of income.(C) Roomers who pay for their lodging in either a commercial establishment or in a private home which is their permanent and primary home. Roomers are ineligible if their charge for room or room and board is based on a fixed percentage of their income or on their source of income.(ii) Persons are ineligible if they are in a temporary living arrangement for a reason such as a visit, vacation or education. Residents in institutions, dormitories, fraternity or sorority houses and boarding homes are ineligible.(3)Residency. Household members shall be residents.The provisions of this §601.31 adopted June 3, 1988, effective upon publication and applies retroactively to October 15, 1987, 18 Pa.B. 2518. . This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 601.32 (relating to eligibility requirements for crisis benefits).