Vulnerability means that the household is totally or partially responsible for the cost of home energy. The household must meet the vulnerability requirement in order to receive LIHEAP benefits.
The household is still considered vulnerable when the utility provider temporarily disconnects the household’s service.
Households that do not have any home energy expenses are considered non-vulnerable and are not eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits. Examles of non-vulnerable living arrangements include:
- congregate or dormitory facilities such as a nursing facility, assisted living or long term care facility. When the utilities are paid through a corporate or business account,
- college or university dormitories, fraternity or sorority housing.
- subsidized households whose heating or cooling costs are included in the rent.
Subsidized households that pay an energy surcharge may be eligible for assistance if they provide verification of the surcharge. They could be considered vulnerable and may be elgible to receive LIHEAP benefits.
Households whose bill is paid directly to the utility provider by someone outside the household is not considered vulnerable and is not eligible for LIHEAP benefits. If someone outside the household gives the household money to pay the utility provider, then the money given to the household is counted as unearned income and the household could be considered vulnerable and possibly receive liheap benefits.
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