2 HEATING ASSISTANCE

Eligibility, 2605(b)(2) - Assurance 2 2.1 Designate the income eligibility threshold used for the heating component: Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 All Household Sizes HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 2.2 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Heating Assistance? Yes No 2.3 Check the appropriate boxes below and describe the policies for each. Do you require an Assets test? Yes No If yes, describe: Not applicable Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Yes No If yes, describe: Not applicable Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters whose heating costs are included in their subsidized rent are not eligible. If heating is paid separately, the renter may qualify. If a utility allowance is included in rent, the benefit is reduced by 50%. A rental calculation worksheet is required. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters must provide a lease, rent receipt, or landlord confirmation showing heating costs are included in rent. If eligible, a portion of the benefit may be paid to the electricity vendor and the remainder to the client. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with a member age 60 or older receive a $175 benefit increase and may receive early application mailings if they received LIHEAP the prior year. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with a legally disabled member receive a $175 benefit increase and may receive early application mailings if they received LIHEAP the prior year. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with a child under age 6 receive a $175 benefit increase and may receive early application mailings if they received LIHEAP the prior year. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Not applicable Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Not applicable Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: The State of Alaska has specific LIHEAP policies for renters in subsidized housing, vulnerable populations, and areas served by Tribal LIHEAP programs. Renters in subsidized housing are not eligible if heating is included in rent. If heating costs are separate, the household may qualify. If a utility allowance is included, the benefit is reduced by 50%. A rental calculation worksheet is required. Renters with utilities included in rent must provide a lease or landlord statement showing heating costs are part of rent. Benefits may be split between the electric vendor and client. Households with an older adult (60+), a person with a disability, or a child under age 6 receive a $175 benefit increase (limited to one per household) and are prioritized in the early application mailing if they received LIHEAP the prior year. Many Alaskan communities are served by Tribal LIHEAP agencies. State LIHEAP policies are available at: http://dpaweb.hss.state.ak. us/manuals/HAP/hap.htm Determination of Benefits 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 2.4 Describe how you prioritize the provision of heating assistance to vulnerable populations, e.g., benefit amounts, early application periods, etc. Alaska prioritizes households with vulnerable members—defined as individuals age 60 or older, legally disabled, or children under age 6—by applying a $175 vulnerable population credit to the household’s benefit calculation (limited to one credit per household). Households with a vulnerable member who received LIHEAP in the prior year are also placed on the early application mail-out list and receive application packets before the general population to support timely access to benefits. These policies are outlined in the LIHEAP Policy Manual, available at: http:// dpaweb.hss.state.ak.us/manuals/HAP/hap.htm. 2.5 Check the variables you use to determine your benefit levels. (Check all that apply): Income Family (household) size Home energy cost or need: Fuel type Climate/region Individual bill Dwelling type Energy burden (% of income spent on home energy) Energy need Other - Describe: Benefit Levels, 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 2.6 Describe estimated benefit levels for the fiscal year for which this plan applies. Please note: the maximum and minimum benefits must be shown in the payment matrix. Minimum Benefit $350 Maximum Benefit $6,125 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 Yes No If yes, describe. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.