3 COOLING ASSISTANCE

Eligibility, 2605(c)(1)(A), 2605 (b)(2) - Assurance 2 3.1 Designate The income eligibility threshold used for the Cooling component: Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 All Household Sizes State Median Income 60.00% 3.2 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Cooling assistance? Yes No 3.3 Check the appropriate boxes below and describe the policies for each. Do you require an Assets test? Yes No If yes, describe: Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters living in subsidized housing, the amount of the utility allowance is deducted from the total energy cost. Households receiving a utility allowance greater than the utility bill are not eligible. Applicants over 60 years old are exempt from this requirement. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters with utilities in rent must have a landlord agreement filled out that states that the landlord will pass on the benefit as a reduction in rent. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Per Section 3.3, A.3. of the Louisiana LIHEAP Service Delivery Guide, Intake procedures must allow for special considerations for LIHEAP priority groups (i.e. elderly and/or disabled). Applications for the elderly (60 and above), and those with disabilities, must be given special consideration at least weekly in the form of a specific time and/or day to apply. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Per Section 3.3, A.3. of the Louisiana LIHEAP Service Delivery Guide, Intake procedures must allow for special considerations for LIHEAP priority groups (i.e. elderly and/or disabled). Applications for the elderly (60 and above), and those with disabilities, must be given special consideration at least weekly in the form of a specific time and/or day to apply. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: 3.4 Describe how you prioritize the provision of cooling assistance to vulnerable populations, e.g., benefit amounts, early application periods, etc. Households containing one or more members of the targeted priority groups (elderly, disabled, young children) are eligible for one additional $100 benefit payment per household. The applicant's energy burden is automatically calculated using the Hancock Energy Software (HES). The highest total energy cost (TEC) is divided by the total household monthly gross income to determine the percentage of the household income used for energy costs. The applicant's benefit amount is determined using a benefit matrix. Households with zero income are eligible to receive the maximum benefit payment allowed for their family size. Eligible households can receive one benefit payments during the cooling season. Determination of Benefits 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 3.5 Check the variables you use to determine your benefit levels. (Check all that apply): Income Family (household) size Home energy cost or need: Fuel type Climate/region Individual bill Dwelling type Energy burden (% of income spent on home energy) Energy need Other - Describe: See Benefit Matrix. LHC reserves the right to issue Supplemental Cooling Benefits to applicants who previously received Cooling assistance within the grant period based on funds available. Louisiana allows for community solar participants to receive a benefit using the same LA LIHEAP benefit calculation. Benefit Levels, 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 3.6 Describe estimated benefit levels for the fiscal year for which this plan applies. Please note: the maximum and minimum benefits must be shown in the payment matrix. Minimum Benefit $200 Maximum Benefit $800 3.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., fans, air conditioners) and/or other forms of benefits? Yes No If yes, describe. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.