Ops Memo 2013-19A: Spring 2013 SNAP Heat and Eat (H-EAT) Program Update

Background
The Heat & Eat (H-EAT) Program is a partnership between DTA and the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Under this partnership, eligible SNAP households are identified and selected for the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) twice each year, Spring and Fall. Existing SNAP households that still meet the H-EAT criteria are also selected and given the H-EAT benefit.

On the evening of April 19, 2013, eligible SNAP households were selected for 2013 H-EAT Fuel Assistance Program benefits.

• Newly eligible H-EAT Fuel Assistance Program households are eligible for a 2013 $1.00 H-EAT benefit and their SNAP benefit will be recalculated using the Heating/Cooling Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). The application of H-EAT benefits will trigger a recalculation of the household’s SNAP benefit amount for May 2013.
• Existing SNAP households who are being reheated are eligible for the $1.00 H-EAT Fuel Assistance Program benefit as well. However, there will be no recalculation of SNAP benefits for these households as the Heating/Cooling SUA is already on file and being used in the household’s SNAP benefit calculation.

Purpose of Memo
This memo will:

• review H-EAT Fuel Assistance Program criteria;
• explain the responsibilities of DTA and DHCD;
• describe notices to H-EAT clients;
• provide instructions for restoring lost SNAP benefits to certain H-EAT households;
• advise case managers of households that are ineligible to be reheated; and

Note: The heating/cooling SUA will not be automatically removed from
the case, see page 5 of this memo.

• describe the DHCD client brochure.

Obsolete Memo
This Operations Memo obsoletes Operations Memo 2013-19.