703.07 Emergency Assistance Payment Limits (FAM)

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Authorize Emergency Assistance (EA) funds for permanent housing for the following reasons, but do not exceed the maximum amounts for each service noted below.

Security deposits or first month’s rent to obtain rental housing: The amount of the monthly rent must not exceed *100% of the assistance group’s total available monthly income. Authorize no more than $650 per security deposit, or for first month’s rent, or both if the combined total does not exceed $650. Subsequent security deposits of up to $650 per request can be authorized in a 12-month period provided the full amount of the last deposit authorized in the current 12 month period has been or will be refunded by the former landlord.

Back rent: Allow back rent, but only the amount required to retain housing. The amount of the monthly rent must not exceed *100% of the assistance group’s total available monthly income. The occupancy period that the rent is intended to cover must have expired. Authorize no more than a two-month arrearage period.

Mortgage- arrearages: Allow back payments covering principal and interest of a mortgage, but only the amount required to retain housing. The amount of the monthly mortgage obligation must not exceed the individual’s total available monthly income. The occupancy period that the mortgage payment is intended to cover must have expired. Authorize no more than a two-month arrearage period.

Payments for mortgage arrearages may be authorized when at least one of the following requirements are met:

• the applicant is the sole owner of the property;

• a court order authorizes a future transfer of the property to the applicant or to any of the individuals who reside on the property provided their needs, income and resources are used to determine eligibility for emergency assistance; or

• any of the individuals whose needs, income and resources are used to determine eligibility for emergency assistance:

- reside on the property; or

- reside on the property and own the property with a spouse or adult child who also resides on the property.

Utility deposits: to obtain gas, electricity, water, sewer, and heat. Authorize the amount charged by the utility provider per utility. Do not authorize any amounts which represent utility arrearages from a previous residence.

Utility arrearages: required to prevent termination of gas, electricity, water, sewer, or heat. Authorize no more than a two-month arrearage period.

Home heating fuel: to provide the individual with heat, hot water, or cooking fuel, but not the cost of electricity required to heat the home. Arrearage from a previous residence may be paid if clearance of the arrearage will allow a current fuel delivery at the current address. Authorize no more than $700.

Exception: Authorize EA payments when expenses exceed maximum amounts if the criteria in FAM 703.13, When Expenses Exceed Maximum Allowable Amounts, are met.

References: He-W 699.05(f) & (h), RSA 167:7, V, RSA 167:83, I(c), 45 CFR 233.120