Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA)
Districts continue to authorize emergency assistance formerly issued under Emergency Home Relief through ESNA. The income standard for ESNA remains at 125% of the Federal Income Official Poverty Guidelines. The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updates these Guidelines annually. As in the past, this standard does not apply if the emergency is the result of a fire, flood or other like catastrophe or if the emergency energy assistance is granted in accordance with Department regulations 352.5 (c), (d) and (e) to prevent or restore utility (natural gas and electricity) service, or to arrange for an emergency delivery of non-utility (other than natural gas and electricity) heating fuel.
Some former recipients of Family Assistance (FA), the Child Assistance Program (CAP) and Safety Net Assistance (SNA-FP) are no longer eligible to receive federally funded recurring assistance due to having reached their State 60-month time limit. However, these former recipients may still be eligible to receive emergency assistance under the federally funded Emergency Assistance to Families with Needy Children (EAF). Districts must explore the use of EAF for these applicants for emergency assistance before authorizing benefits under ESNA.
Note: Districts must remember that ESNA considers the total gross income of the applying household, but EAF considers only the available gross income on the day of application when determining if the household passes the EAF 200% of poverty test.
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