(1) A new application for low income energy assistance must be made for each new heating season and when a household changes residence during the heating season. An application is initiated by filing a signed written application on the form prescribed by the department at the office of the local contractor in the area where the applicant lives. If necessary, the contractor will provide assistance in completing the application form.

(2) The application form may be submitted by mail or by other means to the local contractor's office. The department or its contractor may, at their option, accept applications at locations other than the local contractor's office, such as a senior citizen center, as designated by the department or its contractor.

(3) An application for low income energy assistance generally must be filed during the heating season for which assistance is being sought, that is, between October 1 and April 30. If April 30 falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the contractor must accept applications on the next business day after the weekend or legal holiday. However, at the option of the department, applicants who use certain types of heating fuel which are sold at lower prices during the summer months or applicants for emergency services may be permitted to file their applications prior to October 1 of the heating season for which they are seeking assistance. In the case of applicants who use other types of fuel and who are not seeking emergency services, the contractor may in its discretion accept applications prior to October 1, but the date of application will be deemed to be October 1.

(4) No person or family will be excluded from participation in the low income energy assistance program or be discriminated against in regard to the amount of benefits or in any other regard on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, culture, age, creed, marital status, physical or mental disability, political beliefs, or national origin.