Code of Maine Rules › 99 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES › 346 - MAINE STATE HOUSING AUTHORITY › Chapter 24 - HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RULE › Section 346-24-2 - Application

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. An Applicant may have only one certified
				eligible Application per Program Year. Household Members may not submit an
				Application for a given Program Year if they were included on a certified
				eligible Application for that Program Year
B. An Applicant may resubmit a new
				Application if the Applicant's Application has either been denied or withdrawn
				any time prior to the issuance of a Benefit.
C. Subgrantees will process Applications in
				accordance with the requirements of this Section and the HEAP Handbook:
1. Applications will be taken as prescribed
				by MaineHousing each Program Year and will continue to be taken until the last
				working day of May of the Program Year or until otherwise prescribed by
				MaineHousing, whichever occurs sooner.
2. Subgrantee will only take Applications for
				Households in its Service Area. Applications received in error will be
				forwarded to the correct Subgrantee and the Applicant will be informed of the
				error.
3. The Application forms
				provided or approved by MaineHousing must be used to administer the Programs
				and will be reviewed annually prior to the commencement of taking Applications
				each Program Year.
4. Applications
				may be taken via telephone. Subgrantee will complete the Application over the
				telephone and send the completed Application and other appropriate documents to
				the Applicant for review and signature.
5. All Applications require Applicants to
				return the signed Application within twenty (20) business days of the interview
				with the Subgrantee.
6. Subgrantee
				will make all reasonable efforts during the first ninety (90) days it takes
				Applications to process and serve returning Households that have a Direct
				Energy Cost and a member in the Household who (i) is 60 years of age or older,
				(ii) has a disability, or (ii) is 6 years or younger.
7. Subgrantees must comply with
				MaineHousing's Equal Access Handbook to assist Households with Limited English
				Proficiency (LEP) and must make reasonable accommodations for a Person with a
				Disability.
8. Subgrantee must
				certify or deny an Application within thirty (30) business days from the Date
				of Application. Written notification of eligibility must be sent to the
				Applicant within ten (10) calendar days of the decision or when funding is
				available, whichever is later. Written notification of denial must be sent to
				the Applicant within three (3) business days.
a.
Written notification of
				eligibility.
The written notification of eligibility must state the
				Benefit amount, the date the Benefit or credit notification was sent to the
				Vendor, the approved Home Energy type and the manner by which the Applicant can
				request an Informal Review or Fair Hearing, if applicable.
b.
Written notification of
				denial.
The written notification of denial must state the facts
				surrounding the decision, the reason for the decision and the manner by which
				the Applicant can request an Informal Review or Fair Hearing.
i. A denial for missing information will be
				rescinded if the required information is received by the Subgrantee within (15)
				fifteen business days from the date of written notification of
				denial.
9.
				The Subgrantee must verify citizenship or legal status, income and Social
				Security Numbers of all Household Members as well as the identity of the
				Applicant as prescribed by the HEAP Handbook and this Rule.