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(k) The department will add one point to the heating cost points determined under (a) — (i) of this section if the household includes one or more members 60 years of age or older, legally disabled, or under six years of age. (l) The department will reduce the heating cost points determined under (a) — (k) of this section by 50 percent, regardless of the amount of the utility allowance for heat, if a household
(1) resides in any type of subsidized housing;
(2) is responsible for paying all or a portion of the household’s heating costs directly to a vendor; and
(3) receives a utility allowance as part of the household’s housing cost calculation. (m) A household with heating cost points determined under (a) — ( l) of this section to be less than 2.0 is not eligible for assistance under 7 AAC 44.010 — 7 AAC 44.090. (n) The department will round the total heating cost points computed in (a) — ( l) of this section to the nearest whole number and multiply by the benefit rate to determine the amount of the household heating assistance. The department will establish the benefit rate annually based upon
(1) anticipated federal money available for heating assistance and any state money that may be appropriated to supplement federal money;
(2) the anticipated number of households to be served in this state;
(3) anticipated total household heating costs points calculated in accordance with this section; and
(4) dollar values per point as set out in AS 47.25.623(c). (o) The total heating cost points determined under (n) of this section may not exceed 35 points. (p) If the household meets the conditions set out in this subsection, the department may reduce the amount of heating assistance available under (n) and (o) of this section by the amount of the unpaid balance that the household owes the department for previously awarded heating assistance to which the household was not entitled. The department will use this method of recoupment of overpayments only if the household has not responded to the department’s request for repayment or the household defaults on its repayment agreement. (q) Notwithstanding (a) — (p) of this section, heating assistance is subject to the availability of federal money and any state money that may be appropriated to supplement federal money. Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-served basis subject to the availability of federal money for benefits. If the department determines, after the close of the application period set out in 7 AAC 44.020(c), that available federal money exceeds the total amount that can be expended, obligated, and carried over into the next federal fiscal year under 42 U.S.C. 8621 — 8630, the