TO:	Commissioners; TA Directors; HEAP Liaisons

FROM:	Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner
	Division of Temporary Assistance

SUBJECT:	Close Down of Regular and Emergency HEAP Components

EFFECTIVE DATE:	April 21, 2003 for Regular HEAP & May 2, 2003 for Emergency HEAP

CONTACT PERSON:	Western Regional Team @ 1-800-343-8859, ext. 3-0332

This is to advise you that April 21, 2003 has been designated as the closing date for the regular benefit component and May 2, 2003 has been designated as the closing date for the emergency benefit component for 2002 – 2003 HEAP.

The emergency heating equipment repair and replacement component will continue to operate until further notice.

All local departments of social services and alternate certifiers must continue to accept applications and requests for applications and/or appointments to apply for regular benefits through the close of business on Monday, April 21, 2003 and through the close of business on Friday, May 2, 2003 for emergency benefits.

Requests for appointments to apply for regular HEAP made on/or before COB, April 21, 2003 must be honored even if the certifier is unable to schedule and/or conduct the appointment before COB on April 21st.

Mail in applications postmarked on/or before April 21st must be accepted and processed.  Phone certifications initiated on/or before COB April 21st must also be processed.  Requests for appointments to apply for emergency HEAP benefits made on/or before COB May 2, 2003 must be honored.  If the certifier is unable to conduct the appointment before COB May 2, 2003, an appointment beyond the closing date must be scheduled.

Districts must continue to submit weekly pending reports until further notice.  Pending cases for regular benefits must be processed no later than June 9, 2003.  Pending cases for emergency benefits must be processed no later than June 23, 2003.  Benefits must be issued as soon as possible.  OTDA will continue to advance funds based on WMS authorizations.

Please share this information with all other local certifiers.