703.19 Emergency Assistance (EA) Verification Requirements (FAM)

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The applicant must verify the need for an Emergency Assistance (EA) payment within 10 calendar days of requesting assistance. Verify all the following:

• the amount necessary to resolve the emergency situation;

• personal property resources; and

• the lack of other forms of energy assistance, when the request is for utility or heat assistance.

Additional verification is also required depending upon the actual service being requested as indicated below.

Housing Type: Verify housing type only when:

• the EA applicant is not already a FANF recipient; or

• the FANF recipient provides new or different information about their housing type during the EA application process.

Rent, mortgage, and utility arrearages: When any of these exceed 2 months, verify one of the following:

• the Emergency Assistance payment will prevent eviction, foreclosure, or utility termination;

• the remainder of the arrearage can be obtained from an outside source; or

• a payment plan has been arranged for the remainder of the arrearage.

Rent and utility security deposits: When these exceed the Emergency Assistance maximums—even after offsetting the amounts with total countable personal property resources over $250—verify one of the following:

• the remainder of the deposit can be obtained;

• the Emergency Assistance payment will secure the housing or obtain the utility service; or

• a payment plan has been arranged for the remainder of the deposit.

Home Heating Fuel Deliveries: When these exceed the Emergency Assistance maximums—verify one of the following:

• the remainder of the cost will be secured;

• a payment plan has been arranged with the home heating fuel company for the remainder of the cost; or

• the payment authorized will secure a current home heating fuel delivery.

Multiple Security Deposits: When a subsequent request for a security request is made during the 12 month authorization period, require a signed and dated statement from the former landlord that he or she has or will return the full amount of the previous authorized security deposit prior to authorizing the payment.

Monthly rent payment: When this amount is greater than *100% of the assistance group’s monthly income, require a signed and dated statement from an outside source showing their intent to help the applicant meet the monthly payment.

Monthly mortgage payment: When this amount is greater than the assistance group’s monthly income, require a signed and dated statement from an outside source showing their intent to help the applicant meet the monthly payment.

Accept as verification any documents or collateral contact which reasonably establish facts. Written documentation is not required as a follow-up to collateral contact.

Failure to provide the required verification results in denial of the Emergency Assistance request.

References: He-W 606.104, He-W 699.05(g) & (i)(3), RSA 167:7,V, RSA 167:83,I(c), 45 CFR 233.120