Section 388-400-0047. Am I eligible for the heat and eat program?

(1) What is the heat and eat program?

The heat and eat is a special energy assistance program for certain assistance units receiving basic food or the food assistance program for legal immigrants (FAP).

An assistance unit (AU) in heat and eat receives up to $20.01 in federal low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) benefits. This LIHEAP benefit makes the AU eligible for the standard utility allowance under WAC 388-450-0195 for twelve months.

(2) Is my assistance unit eligible for heat and eat?

Your AU is eligible for heat and eat if you meet all of the following:

(a) You receive at least $1 in basic food or FAP benefits, prior to any recoupments;

(b) You do not receive WASHCAP;

(c) You do not receive transitional food assistance (TFA);

(d) You are not eligible for the standard utility allowance (SUA) under WAC 388-450-0195 based on having out of pocket costs for heating or cooling;

(e) You have not received a regular LIHEAP benefit amount of more than twenty dollars in the past twelve months; and

(f) You do not receive the maximum allotment for your AU size under WAC 388-478-0060 without using the SUA.

(3) How do I receive heat and eat?

If you are eligible for heat and eat, we deposit the benefit on your EBT card. The heat and eat benefit is good for twelve months. After twelve months, we look at your circumstances to see if you are still eligible for heat and eat.

(4) How do I apply for heat and eat?

You do not apply for heat and eat. We will determine if your AU is eligible to receive heat and eat and automatically provide you the benefit.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, 74.08A.010, 74.08A.903, and P.L. 110-246, 7 U.S.C. as amended by P.L. 113-79. WSR 14-22-076, § 388-400-0047, filed 11/3/14, effective 1/1/15.]

RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, 74.04.500, 74.08A.010, 74.08A.903, and P.L. 110-246, 7 U.S.C. as amended by P.L. 113-79. WSR 14-22-076, § 388-400-0047, filed 11/3/14, effective 1/1/15.

Rules

388-450-0195,388-450-0195,388-478-0060,