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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 20.00 Definitions

Effective 09/01/2023

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NATURAL DISASTER The term “natural disaster” means a weather event (relating to cold or hot weather), flood, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or ice storm, or an event meeting such other criteria as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the discretion of the Secretary, may determine to be appropriate.

NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZEN Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after they fulfill the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Naturalized U.S. Citizens can provide a Naturalization Certificate or U.S. Passport as evidence.

NON-CITIZEN A non-citizen is a person who is not a citizen of the United States.

NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES A non-essential service is a service appearing on a vendor bill or statement that is not required to be paid in order for the intended outcome of the benefit payment to occur (reconnection or averting disconnection). Under LIHWAP, this term refers to non-water related services.

OBLIGATION The State of Iowa does not have a uniform definition for the term “obligation”. However, the State is bound by the definition of obligation, as per OMB Circular No. A-11(2018) Section 20 – Terms and Concepts, which states, “Obligation means a binding agreement that will result in outlays, immediately or in the future. Budgetary resources must be available before obligations can be incurred legally”.

OUTREACH The activities undertaken to ensure households with the greatest needs receive LIHEAP benefits. It includes informing potentially eligible persons about LIHEAP, encouraging them to apply, and assisting them with the submission of an application.

OWNER-OCCUPIED DWELLING A dwelling inhabited by the owner.

Note: If a LIHEAP customer is buying a home on contract, a contract detailing the purchase of the home (name of seller and buyer, address of property, purchase prices, terms, and consideration given) must be presented before a heating or central air unit repair/replacement can be done. If the contract has not been recorded, it must be signed and dated by both parties involved in the transaction and notarized. Ideally, the assessor site would list the buyer’s name, but is not required by our program.

POVERTY LEVEL Household income in relation to family size established by the federal government.

PRIMARY HEATING FUEL The type of fuel the household customarily uses to heat their home. If more than one fuel type is used in the home, the primary heating fuel is the fuel used the most by the household to heat the home. Primary heating type must reflect the primary heating unit of the dwelling.

PRO-RATE To pro-rate is to divide something in a proportional way, based on time. For example, Barry Cuda received a $5,000 annual bonus. The verification period being used is the most recent previous 30 calendar days. The bonus received during the verification period was for the most recent 12 months. Barry is paid semi- monthly (twice a month/24 paychecks in a year). The bonus is to be pro-rated by dividing $5,000 by 24, which equals $208.33 per pay period. Two pay periods are to be counted as income.