- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) HEARINGS
DISCUSSION:
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a block grant program. It is designed to assist low income individuals, particularly those with the lowest income who pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, in meeting their immediate energy needs.
The State of Missouri Family Support Division (FSD) applies for and receives LIHEAP funding and then contracts with Missouri Community Action Agencies (CAA), or other agencies, to conduct the eligibility determination for LIHEAP applications. All LIHEAP applicants are entitled to request a hearing regarding the decision made on their application for services.
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarification of how LIHEAP Hearing requests will be processed. The LIHEAP contract agency will submit one copy of the hearing packet to the appropriate FSD Income Maintenance (IM) customer service center.
FSD IM staff will forward the appropriate information to the Division of Legal Services (DLS) Hearings Unit. The DLS Hearings Unit will schedule a hearing and notify all parties in writing as to the date and time of the hearing. FSD IM staff will provide the hearing room and telephone for the hearing. The Hearing Officer will connect to the hearing via telephone conference call. If the claimant requests special accommodations, or an in-person hearing they must immediately contact the DLS Hearing Unit.
A representative from the LIHEAP contract agency that has first-hand knowledge of the claim will participate in/attend the hearing. It is not necessary for the IM office to participate in the administrative hearing.
As hearings are scheduled, the Notice of Administrative Hearing should be sent to the LIHEAP contract agency and to the Community Support Unit. On the day of the scheduled hearing, the LIHEAP contract agency should be contacted to participate in the administrative hearings.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- For more information concerning LIHEAP please access: http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/liheap.htm or contact Heather Jones, LIHEAP Manager by email at Heather.Jones@dss.mo.gov or by phone at 573-751-6789.
ATTACHMENT:
AC/hj