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for their primary source of heat and have annual gross incomes up to 60% of state median income.

Note: Boarders are not eligible to receive Rental Assistance Benefits.

Households that are determined eligible for Rental Assistance Benefits will receive a direct cash benefit to defray heating costs.

The chart below details the Rental Assistance Benefit awards:

RENTAL ASSISTANCE BENEFITS

Level Poverty Guidelines Amount 1 At or below 125% FPG $125 2 126% FPG – 200% FPG $100 3 201% FPG – 60% SMI $75

Rental assistance households must present verifiable documentation that utilities are included in their rental fee.

Households that receive Rental Assistance Benefits and move to a location where they become responsible for their primary heat may receive Basic Benefits up to the maximum available to a household at the appropriate benefit level, less any Rental Assistance Benefits already received. For example, a household that has received $140 in rental assistance benefits and subsequently moves to a non-rental assistance situation, and is determined to be vulnerable, could be eligible for a $640 Basic Benefit, less the Rental Assistance Benefit received. That household would now be eligible to receive a Basic Benefit of up to $500 toward their primary source of heat. Crisis Assistance may also be available if the new primary source of heat is a deliverable fuel, and the household meets the criteria for this benefit.

Conversely, if a household moves from a location where they are responsible for payment of their primary source of heat to a dwelling unit where they are not required to make direct-to-vendor payments for their primary source of heat, they may receive the difference between what they have received in Basic Benefits and what they would be eligible to receive under the Rental Assistance Benefits matrix. For example, a household with direct-to-vendor obligations that has had a $100 oil delivery and thus expended $100 of its $640 Basic Benefit, and who subsequently moves to a dwelling unit where they are eligible for Rental Assistance Benefits, would be able to receive the $135 Rental Assistance Benefit, less the expended amount of the Basic Benefit. That household would now be eligible to receive up to $35 in Rental Assistance Benefits. When the household becomes eligible for the Rental Assistance Benefit, they are no longer eligible for a Basic Benefit. Such households must document the change in circumstances, including verification of utilities being included in their rental fee, but do not need to have their income redetermined.

No more than one Rental Assistance Benefit will be issued per dwelling unit. If the final funding level released for FFY 2025 is greater or less than the estimated funding level used to develop this Plan, DSS may adjust the Rental Assistance Benefits.

X. LIHEAP BENEFITS FOR SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient households that do not make direct-to-vendor payments for their primary source of heat but have a shelter and/or utility obligation are eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits. These households receive the lowest LIHEAP payment because they have the lowest energy burden. Effective with the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (“Big Beautiful Bill”), federal law