TO:	Commissioners; TA Directors; HEAP Liaisons

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

SUBJECT:	Close Down of the Regular HEAP Component

EFFECTIVE DATE:	April 23, 2004

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

This is to advise you that April 23, 2004 has been designated as the closing date for the regular benefit component for 2003 – 2004 HEAP.

The emergency component and 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 Friday, April 23, 2004.

Requests for appointments to apply for regular HEAP made on/or before COB, April 23, 2004 must be honored even if the certifier is unable to schedule and/or conduct the appointment before COB on April 23rd.

Mail in applications postmarked on/or before April 23rd must be accepted and processed.  Phone certifications initiated on/or before COB April 23rd must also be processed.

NOTE:	In e-filing pilot districts, e-filed applications with a submission date of April 23, 2004 must be processed.

Districts must continue to submit weekly pending reports until further notice.  Pending cases for regular benefits must be processed no later than June 4, 2004.  Benefits must be issued as soon as possible.  OTDA will continue to advance funds based on WMS authorizations.

Again, the emergency component and the emergency heating equipment repair and replacement component will continue to operate until further notice.

Please share this information with all other local certifiers.