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Louisiana LIHEAP Service Delivery Guide 46 | P a g e
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Example: Client comes in to qualify for Heating assistance and presents utility bills for both heating and cooling vendors with a Payment Due Date within the past 30 days of their application. The cooling (electric) bill has a TEC of $115. Enter $115 as the “Monthly Total Energy Cost”. The heating (gas) bill has a TEC of $45. Enter $45 as the “Monthly Usage” for this entry. The heating bill also has a credit balance of -$300 from previously un-used LIHEAP Heating Assistance; therefore, “Credit on Bill” must be selected for this vendor. When the Subgrantee completes all necessary data entry and selects “Qualify” for this client, LES will return a message indicating the client is ineligible for Heating Assistance at this time. The Subgrantee must deny the client in the system, print the denial letter, and inform them they can re-apply once assistance is needed. C. Total Energy Cost for Persons Receiving Utility Allowances 1. Utility Allowances and TEC According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Utility Allowance – An estimate of the average monthly utility bills (except telephone) for an energy-conscious household. This estimate considers only utilities paid directly by the tenant. If all utilities are included in the rent, there is not a utility allowance. Utility allowances vary by unit type and are listed on the project’s rent schedule or Housing Assistance Payments contract. Utility Reimbursement - The amount, if any by which the utility allowance for a unit exceeds the total tenant payment for the family occupying the unit. Majority of applicants receiving Section 8 Assistance receive Utility Allowances; therefore, the Subgrantee must verify, as indicated below. Households receiving a Utility Allowance for Heating or Cooling greater than the utility bill for that utility are not eligible for a heating or cooling benefit. The household must provide an energy bill to show an energy burden for the month of application. Applicants 60 years or older are exempted from this requirement and verification is not required.