Section 400.7020. Client actions contributing to emergency as basis for denial of relief; required payments.

(1) Failure, without good cause, on the part of any member of the SER group to meet required payments for any of the following shall be a basis for the denial of an application for the SER program if the department determines that the failure to meet required payments contributed to the emergency situation for which relief is requested:

(a)   Rent.

(b) Purchase of a home.

(c)   Mandatory house insurance premiums required under the terms of a mortgage or land contract.

(d)  Heating fuel.

(e)   Electricity.

(f)  Water or cooking gas, or both.

(g)   Utility deposits.

(2)    The required payments for rent or the purchase of a home are the total amount of the SER group’s monthly obligations for these needs during each of the 6 months before the month during which the SER group applies for emergency relief.

(3)     The  required  payments  for   mandatory  house   insurance  premiums required by the terms of a mortgage or land contract are the total amount of the SER group's obligations for mandatory house insurance premiums that fell due, or were overdue, during the 6 months before the month during which the SER group applies for emergency relief.

(4)   The required payments for electricity, heat, and heat and electric deposits are met if, during each month of the 6-month period before the month in which the SER group applies for electricity, heat, or heat and electric deposit assistance, the group paid the combined  electricity  and heat required payment amounts for the number of persons in the group.

(5)   The required payments  for  a  non-energy  utility  deposit,   water, cooking gas, or water and cooking gas are met if, during each month of the 6-month period before the month in which the SER group applies for a non-energy utility deposit, water, cooking gas, or water and cooking gas assistance, the group paid the water or cooking gas,   or   both,   required payment amount for the number of persons in the group.

(6)   Good cause shall exist for a failure to meet required payments if the SER group’s net countable income from all sources during each month that the group failed to pay shelter, energy, or utility obligations was not reduced under the provisions of R 400.7021 and was less than the amounts specified by group size and established by the department and published in department policy.

(7)   Electricity required payment amounts shall be established by the department and published in department policy.

(8)   Heating fuel required payment amounts shall be established by the department and published in department policy.

(9)   Water or cooking gas, or both, required payment  amounts shall be established by the department and published in department policy.

History: 1993 AACS; 2015 AACS.