PURPOSE: This rule establishes the basis upon which emergency payments will be made to vendors for the purchase of food, clothing, utility and shelter expenses incurred by eligible Missouri residents of needy families with children under the age of twentyone, limited to a one-time payment in a twelve-month period, in crisis situations.

1. (1) Eligibility for Emergency Assistance is based on the fact that a crisis situation exists at the time the family requests Emergency Assistance. The definition of crisis is—

   1. (A) A sudden unexpected, natural or human occurrence or set of circumstances;
   2. (B) Immediate action required on behalf of the family regarding emergent needs; and
   3. (C) Shelter, utilities, food or clothing expenses which may be required to prevent personal suffering.
2. (2) A claimant shall be expected to cooperate in completing the eligibility study within the required time frame of three (3) work days.
3. (3) An applicant or recipient of the Emergency Assistance program currently must be residing in Missouri with the intent to remain a Missouri resident.
4. (4) Only citizens of the United States will be eligible for receipt of Emergency Assistance.
5. (5) For the purpose of the Emergency Assistance program, Income Limitations shall mean—a family to be eligible for Emergency Assistance shall not have an adjusted net income in excess of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the maximum assistance grant available to that family size, based on Income Maintenance standards.
6. (6) In those cases where one (1) or both parent(s) of the child in whose behalf Emergency Assistance is granted is (are) absent from the home, a referral shall be made to the Support Enforcement Unit.

7. (7) All payments will be made through a voucher payment system and will be payments to vendors. No payments will be made directly to the recipient. The following criteria governing maximum payments shall apply:

   1. (A) If the claimant is ineligible for food stamps, the maximum emergency food payment shall be equivalent to the maximum allowable food-stamp bonus for the total number of persons in the household based on monthly net income;
   2. (B) Emergency shelter may be provided up to a maximum payment of two hundred seventy dollars ($270) in the event of potential eviction or in emergency situations limited to natural disaster;
   3. (C) Emergency clothing may be provided up to a maximum of twenty-five dollars ($25) per person, unless an extreme emergency exists;

   4. (D) Emergency utilities payments may be provided up to the maximum payment of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) to assist with the costs associated with the turn on (or to prevent discontinuation) of utilities or fuel.

      1. 1. The claimant’s household has rec -

eived notification from the utility or fuel company that services will be discontinued.

1. 2. The services have already been dis-

continued by the utility or fuel company.

1. 3. The claimant’s household has been

forced to move due to a crisis situation and the funds are not available for utilities or fuel at the new location.

1. 4. The utilities or fuel shall mean

expenses associated with continuing services related to heat, light and water only;

1. (E) The maximum amount of Emergency Assistance for any costs resulting from a combination of food, clothing and housing expenses incurred as the result of a natural disaster shall not exceed the monthly maximum Aid to Families with Dependent Children grant for the number of eligible persons in the family;
2. (F) In case of natural disaster, if otherwise not available through community resources a combination of needs may be met as well as the total replacement of the family’s clothing; and
3. (G) When funds for the operation of this program appear to be inadequate for an entire fiscal year, rather than provide a prorated benefit which may not meet the needs of families in crisis situations, the Division of Family Services shall provide the maximum allowable benefits to eligible families until all program funds are exhausted. The program will be discontinued until additional funds are appropriated.

AUTHORITY: section 207.020, RSMo 1986.* Emergency rule filed Dec. 17, 1979, effective Dec. 27, 1979, expired April 10, 1980. Original rule filed Dec. 17, 1979, effective April 11, 1980. Emergency amendment filed May 22, 1980, effective May 29, 1980, expired Sept. 11, 1980. Amended: Filed May 22, 1980, effective Sept. 12, 1980. Emergency amendment filed June 19, 1980, effective June 29, 1980, expired Oct. 10, 1980. Amended: Filed June 19, 1980, effective Oct. 11, 1980. Emergency amendment filed Sept. 10, 1980, effective Sept. 20, 1980, expired Dec. 10, 1980. Amended: Filed Sept. 10, 1980, effective Dec. 11, 1980. *Original authority: 207.020, RSMo 1945, amended 1961, 1965, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1986.