Page 38

Louisiana LIHEAP Service Delivery Guide 38 | P a g e

A p r i l 1 , 2 0 2 6

c. Calculating Average Income i. The applicant’s average income is calculated using the gross amount from each pay period. Enter the gross amount of income as shown on the check stubs into LES. ii. If earnings fluctuate greatly, determine if the fluctuation is due to an unusual circumstance (e.g., death, substituting for a co- worker, Christmas bonus). If so, exclude the pay stub(s). Decisions to exclude pay stubs must be clearly documented in the applicant’s file. iii. If the fluctuation occurs regularly (e.g., overtime, shift work), include the pay stub(s). A fluctuation can be considered regularly occurring if it appears on at least two of four consecutive check stubs. Some jobs, such as home healthcare, where the employee is paid every two weeks may have reduced hours in the 2nd week due to scheduling. If that is the case the input worker will need documentation for a least a month so the average of the two pay sessions may be determined. iv. It may be necessary to contact the applicant’s employer to determine if the fluctuation is unusual or regularly occurring. The LIHEAP Energy Software (LES) automatically calculates the average monthly income, after the pay stub amounts are entered. In the event the system is down, the Income Determination Worksheet (Appendix H) may be used to determine the monthly income for completing paper applications, until they can be entered into the LES for processing. d. General Information i. Fraud Prevention. Intake workers are required to inform all applicants prior to the start of the application process they are subject to prosecution under Title 18 of the U.S. Code if they knowingly give false, incorrect, or incomplete information during this application. (See Chapter 9). ii. Zero Income.  If an applicant or any household member 18 years of age or older, reports zero income, the Zero Income Statement Form (Appendix I) must be signed by the individual with no income.  If no one in the household reports any income, the applicant must also explain how household expenses