When you identify an agency in the Denver Region providing needs-based assistance
as described in the two bullets in A. above, make a determination as to whether the
HEA/SMA exclusion criteria is met. If you are familiar with the agency (e.g., well-known
churches, charitable organizations, utility companies, food banks, etc.) and know
that the assistance is based on need, you may certify that the HEA/SMA meets the criteria
to be excluded. If the agency is not well known, or there is a question about whether the assistance is based on need and there is no office precedent, contact the agency, determine whether the HEA/SMA criteria
is met, and put a copy of the determination in the claims file and the office's precedent
file.