1) Home repairs - The repair must be needed to assure adequate heating, refrigeration, cooking facilities, and water supplies.

2) Shelter expense - The recipient(s) must be homeless or in jeopardy of losing their home, such as being no more than 60 days behind in making payments on rent or mortgage or property taxes.

A maximum amount of $1,200 for up to 90 consecutive days is allowed to provide a homeless recipient with temporary emergency shelter in a DHSS certified shelter. A maximum of $650 is allowed to help a recipient:

a) Secure permanent shelter,

b) Maintain existing shelter, and

c) Transition from temporary emergency shelter to secure permanent shelter.

Before DHSS will authorize temporary emergency shelter, DHSS must establish that free or permanent shelter is not available or, if available, has not been refused without good cause. Good cause includes the need for a family member to remain in a school district or near an employer when public or private transportation is not reasonably available. Good cause does not include preference for a motel or hotel over free shelter due to greater privacy or for similar reasons.

The recipient has the primary responsibility for seeking and securing permanent shelter. DHSS will authorize temporary emergency shelter in a DHSS certified shelter commensurate with the recipient's need for shelter up to the maximum time and amount allowed without regard to funds received from the regular cash assistance grant or funds considered in computing the amount of that grant unless the recipient refuses to:

a) Relocate to subsequently arranged temporary emergency shelter in a free shelter, or

b) Actively seek permanent housing and cooperate with DHSS in monitoring progress.

To monitor housing search progress, DHSS will require that the recipient contact DHSS at least weekly at mutually agreed upon times by telephone or arranged office appointment. The worker will discuss with the recipient the number of housing contacts, who was contacted, and where they were located. Recipients who refuse without good cause (e.g., illness of recipient or immediate family member, or no viable contacts remaining) to make housing contacts, keep appointments, or discuss progress with the worker will be considered to be non-cooperative. Failure to cooperate without good cause will result in termination of the recipient's authorization for temporary emergency shelter.

Before authorizing help toward permanent shelter, DHSS will ascertain that the recipient has the ability to maintain ongoing permanent shelter costs. Assistance can be used to pay up to two months' arrearage or the first month's rent and/or security deposit pursuant to Section 6004 .

3) Moving expenses - The move must be necessitated by a crisis situation such as fire, eviction or condemnation of a house. Estimates must be provided before payments can be authorized.

4) Household appliances and home furnishings - The appliance or furnishing must be needed to assure adequate heating, refrigeration, and cooking facilities, and to provide appropriate sleeping arrangements. Funds may be used to purchase new items or replace existing items except that when an existing item is replaced, it must be worn out. Replacement of existing items is not permitted if the item is still serviceable.

5) Medical needs - A medical need is present that could result in serious impairment of health, prolonged hospitalization, or death.

6) Fuel and utility bills - The recipient must have an unpaid bill which became due and payable within 60 consecutive days immediately prior to the day the recipient applies for assistance and be in immediate jeopardy of having their service disconnected or be unable to purchase fuel to maintain adequate living conditions. Recipients who have applied for funds under the Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) are eligible for assistance only when a delay in receiving ECAP funds will cause a hardship.

For example, a recipient who needs fuel oil applies with ECAP and is given an appointment two weeks later. If the recipient applies with the Division and has an emergent need, emergency assistance would be authorized if otherwise eligible.

7) Food expenses - A food need is present that could result in hunger in spite of the expedited service requirements of the Food Stamp Program. Under these requirements, eligible households must receive their food stamp benefits within seven (7) calendar days following the date the application was filed.

Payments for food expense are limited as follows:

1 person $20.00

2-4 persons $27.00

5-7 persons $33.00

8-10 persons $40.00

11 or more persons $53.00

8) Clothing - Clothing is required for decency, but only if the need results from fire or theft and there is no other resource available.

9) Transportation - Costs are allowed only when the consequences arising out of the emergency demand that transportation be provided to the client in order to ameliorate the situation and when transportation without cost is not available, such as, transportation under Title XIX.