441—58.24 (234) Eligibility requirements. A household, including a migrant household, shall be eligible for emergency assistance when the following conditions are met:
	 58.24(1) Existence of an emergency. An emergency shall exist, limited to eviction, foreclosure, utility shutoff, fuel shortage, loss of heating energy supply or equipment, or homelessness. An emergency does not exist for gas or electricity shutoff when a household is approved for LIHEAP and is protected by the moratorium on disconnection between November 1 and March 31.
	  a.   	 An emergency also exists when there is a potential for eviction, foreclosure, utility shutoff, fuel shortage, loss of heating energy supply or equipment, or homelessness. For a household to qualify for emergency assistance, the potential emergency shall be expected to happen within the month of application or the following month.
	  b.   	 The household shall be required to provide proof that an emergency exists. Acceptable verification includes, but is not limited to:
	 (1) 	 An eviction notice.
	 (2) 	 A foreclosure notice.
	 (3) 	 A utility shutoff notice.
	 (4) 	 A written statement to verify homelessness from the party or shelter where the household is staying.
	 (5) 	 Other written documentation, as needed.
	  c.   	 If the amount necessary to resolve the emergency exceeds the $500 maximum payment of the emergency assistance program, the applicant must be able to verify the ability to pay the difference from other resources, or the emergency assistance application shall be denied.
	 58.24(2) Income and resources. The household’s available income and resources shall be within the limits as defined at rules 441—58.26(234) and 441—58.27(234).
	 58.24(3) Receipt of assistance. The household shall not have received assistance in Iowa from the program within one year prior to the date the first payment is authorized. The 12-month period begins on the date the first payment is approved. If any household member received emergency assistance within the past 12 months, the entire household is ineligible.
	 58.24(4) Child in household. The household shall contain at least one child who is living with the household.
	 58.24(5) Child in need. To be considered in need, the child shall be destitute or be without living arrangements unless assistance is provided.
	  a.   	 The child is not in destitution or need if a member of the household (including the child aged 16 or older, who is not attending elementary, secondary or the equivalent level of vocational or technical school full-time) without identified problems with participation of a temporary or incidental nature as described at rule 441—93.133(239B) or barriers to participation as described at rule 441—93.134(239B), in the 30 days before application or subsequent request for emergency assistance:
	 (1) 	 Refused a job offer or training for employment.
	 (2) 	 Was dismissed from a job due to the member’s own actions which meet the definition of “misconduct” in rule 441—93.132(239B).
	 (3) 	 Quit employment.
	 (4) 	 Reduced earnings.
	 (5) 	 Began participation in a strike.
	 (6) 	 Chose a limited benefit plan.
	  b.   	 The 30-day period of ineligibility shall begin the day after the household member reduced earnings or was dismissed from a job.
	 (1) 	 When a member quits a job, participates in a strike, or refuses employment, each day the job or offer for employment remains available or the household member participates in a strike is considered a day of job refusal. In these situations, the 30-day period of ineligibility shall begin the day the person returns to the job or accepts the job offer or the day after the job or offer for employment is no longer available.
	 (2) 	 When a person chooses a first limited benefit plan, each day the person fails to reconsider by contacting IM or PROMISE JOBS counts as a day of refusal. The day the person reconsiders begins the 30-day period of ineligibility. When a person chooses a subsequent limited benefit plan, the 30-day ineligibility period shall begin the day after the date on the notice of decision establishing the person’s limited benefit plan.
	  c.   	 Whenever the household is determined to have good cause for refusing employment, quitting employment, or reducing earnings for the family investment program, no further determination is required for the emergency assistance program. Verification of the circumstances resulting in refusal, loss, or reduction of employment is not required unless information provided appears questionable.
	 58.24(6) Application for other benefits. The household shall apply for and accept benefits for which the household may be qualified from the energy assistance, county general relief and veteran’s affairs programs before approval for emergency assistance.
	  a.   	 Verification that the household has met the requirements of first seeking assistance from these programs shall be documented on Form 470-2804, Disposition of Application for Other Benefits. A separate form shall be completed for each program to which the applicant is referred.
	  b.   	 Emergency assistance benefits shall not be approved while an application for other benefits is pending.
	  c.   	 If a household is denied general relief within 30 days before emergency assistance application, and the denial was due to failure to work off past general relief assistance, emergency assistance shall also be denied.
	 58.24(7) Citizenship and alienage. The household shall contain at least one child who meets citizenship and alienage requirements as defined at 441—subrule 41.23(5). The household shall verify the alien status of at least one child to determine if the household contains an eligible child. There is no need to reverify the alien status unless it is subject to change.
	 58.24(8) Utility service connection. Applicants shall provide verification from the utility company that all requirements to provide service have been met before payment to the utility company for utility deposits for new or reconnected service will be approved. When a household applies for emergency assistance due to a disconnect notice, the household must provide verification from the utility company that the applicant either has signed a payment plan or is not eligible for a payment plan. Failure to provide this verification shall result in denial of the emergency assistance application.