THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13)Use of this model plan is optional. However, the information requested is required in order to receive a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant.Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Section 1 Program Components Program Components, 2605(a), 2605(b)(1) - Assurance 1, 2605(c)(1)(C) 1.1 Check which components you will operate under the LIHEAP program. (Note: You must provide information for each component designated here as requested elsewhere in this plan.) Dates of Operation Start Date End Date Heating assistance 10/01/2025 09/30/2026 Cooling assistance Summer crisis assistance Winter crisis assistance 11/01/2025 03/31/2026 Year-round crisis assistance 10/01/2025 09/30/2026 Weatherization assistance 10/01/2025 09/30/2026 Provide further explanation for the dates of operation, if necessary Crisis assistance is delivered as expedited support, in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 07.03.21.10. In FY26, Maryland will continue to offer an additional one-time crisis assistance benefit during the winter months to prevent or mitigate a crisis if the customer's heating benefit is insufficient. Additionally, crisis assistance funds are allocated to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through an Inter-Agency Agreement for emergency heating and cooling system repair and replacement. Estimated Funding Allocation, 2604(C), 2605(k)(1), 2605(b)(9), 2605(b)(16) - Assurances 9 and 16 1.2 Estimate what amount of available LIHEAP funds will be used for each component that you will operate: The total of all percentages must add up to 100%. Percentage ( % ) Prior year totals Heating assistance 74.60% 74.00% Cooling assistance 0.00% 0.00% Summer crisis assistance 0.00% 0.00% Winter crisis assistance 1.20% 0.00% Year-round crisis assistance 6.20% 8.00% Weatherization assistance 3.00% 3.00% Carryover to the following federal fiscal year 5.00% 5.00% Administrative and planning costs 10.00% 10.00% Services to reduce home energy needs including needs assessment (Assurance 16) 0.00% 0.00% Used to develop and implement leveraging activities 0.00% 0.00% TOTAL 100.00% 100.00% Tribal grant recipients: direct-grant tribes, tribal organizations, or territories with allotments of $20,000 or less may use for planning and administration up to 20% of the funds payable. Grant recipients that are direct grant tribes, tribal organizations, or territories with allotments over $20,000 may use for planning and administration purposes up to 20% of the first $20,000 (or $4,000) plus 10% of the funds payable that exceeds $20,000. Any administrative costs in excess of these limits must be paid from non-federal sources. Alternate Use of Crisis Assistance Funds, 2605(c)(1)(C) 1.3 The funds reserved for winter crisis assistance that have not been expended by March 15 will be reprogrammed to: Heating assistance Cooling assistance Weatherization assistance Other (specify:) Unallocated Funds for Winter Crisis will be prioritized for Heating Assistance and Carry-over to the following federal fiscal year. Categorical Eligibility, 2605(b)(2)(A) - Assurance 2, 2605(c)(1)(A), 2605(b)(8A) - Assurance 8 1.4 Do you consider households categorically eligible if at least one household member receives at least one of the following categories of benefits in the left column below? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 1.4, you must complete the table below and answer questions 1.5 and 1.6. Heating Cooling Crisis Weatherization TANF Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No SSI Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No SNAP Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Means-tested Veterans Programs Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No 1.4a. Provide your definition of categorical eligibility. Please explain how households are categorically eligible (i.e, do all household members need to receive the benefits or just one member, is there a data exchange in place?) and how categorical eligibility streamlines the LIHEAP application process. In compliance with state legislation enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution—Chapter 207 of the 2023 legislative session established Categorical Eligibility and automatic enrollment into Maryland’s Energy Assistance programs for households that have received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other means-tested veterans’ benefits starting in January 2024. If a member of a household receives these benefits on an ongoing basis, the household is considered to be categorically income-eligible for LIHEAP and EUSP benefits. TANF and SNAP recipients who meet all other eligibility criteria and receive ongoing benefits will not need to complete a separate application to receive OHEP benefits. OHEP will use the TANF, SNAP, and SSI eligibility information from the Eligibility and Enrollment (E& E) system within the Maryland Total Human Services Integrated Network (MDTHINK) to determine eligibility for MEAP and EUSP benefits, as well as other eligibility criteria. If all necessary energy assistance factors, including vendor information, can be collected from E&E, a regular eligibility determination is made, and a payment amount is electronically issued to the appropriate vendor, landlord, or household. Applicants approved for a regular benefit through the Categorical Eligibility process receive an Eligibility Determination notice, confirming the OHEP benefits they have been screened for, the amount of their benefit, and their right to a fair hearing. If required MEAP eligibility factors beyond income eligibility cannot be retrieved from E&E, the application will be reviewed by the Local Administering Agency. In such cases, missing eligibility information will be requested from the applicant, and an eligibility determination will be made. 1.5 Do you automatically enroll households without a direct annual application? Yes No If Yes, explain: In compliance with state legislation enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 665, Maryland launched a universal redetermination process in 2023. This process streamlines the application process for OHEP recipients aged 60 and older, as well as for disabled customers who are permanently disabled and/or have completed an OHEP application through the Critical Medical Needs program, with eligible income types (SSI, SSDI, Social Security, and Pension). With the implementation of Categorical Eligibility, State legislation enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution—Chapter 207 of the 2023 legislative session, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) households are referred to OHEP for benefits though Maryland’s Eligibility and Enrollment (E&E) system. Categorical Eligible households are not required to submit an application. 1.6 How do you ensure there is no difference in the treatment of categorically eligible households from those not receiving other public assistance when determining eligibility and benefit amounts? The same eligibility criteria for determining program benefits applies to all applicant households. SNAP Nominal Payments 1.7a Do you allocate LIHEAP funds toward a nominal payment for SNAP households? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 1.7a, you must provide a response to questions 1.7b, 1.7c, and 1.7d. 1.7b Amount of Nominal Assistance: $21.00 1.7c Frequency of Assistance Once Per Year Once every five years Other - Describe: 1.7d How do you confirm that the household receiving a nominal payment has an energy cost or need? Nominal payments were introduced in fiscal year 2023 to comply with newly established state statutes enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution—Chapters 362 and 363. Households are screened for energy costs during the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Determination of Eligibility - Countable Income 1.8. In determining a household's income eligibility for LIHEAP, do you use gross income or net income? Gross Income Net Income Other - Describe 1.9. Select all the applicable forms of countable income used to determine a household's income eligibility for LIHEAP Wages Self - Employment Income Contract Income Payments from mortgage or Sales Contracts Unemployment insurance Strike Pay Social Security Administration (SSA ) benefits Including MediCare deduction Excluding MediCare deduction Supplemental Security Income (SSI ) Retirement / pension benefits General Assistance benefits Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits Loans that need to be repaid Cash gifts Savings account balance One-time lump-sum payments, such as rebates/credits, winnings from lotteries, refund deposits, etc. Jury duty compensation Rental income Income from employment through Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Income from work study programs Alimony Child support Interest, dividends, or royalties Commissions Legal settlements Insurance payments made directly to the insured Insurance payments made specifically for the repayment of a bill, debt, or estimate Veterans Administration (VA) benefits Earned income of a child under the age of 18 Balance of retirement, pension, or annuity accounts where funds cannot be withdrawn without a penalty. Income tax refunds Stipends from senior companion programs, such as VISTA Funds received by household for the care of a foster child Ameri-Corp Program payments for living allowances, earnings, and in-kind aid Reimbursements (for mileage, gas, lodging, meals, etc.) Other Workers' Compensation, Railroad Retirement Benefits, Mine Worker Benefits, Armed Forces Allowance Benefits, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Payments, Severance Pay, Monetary Settlements from Insurance Claims or Lawsuits, Inheritances. 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. 1.10 Do you have an online application process Yes No 1.10a If yes, describe the type of online application (Select all boxes that apply) A PDF version of the application is available online and can be downloaded, filled out and mailed in for processing. A state-wide online application that allows a customer to complete data entry and submit an application electronically for processing. One or more locally available online applications that allows a customer to complete data entry and submit an application electronically for processing. Online application that is also mobile friendly Other, please describe Please include a link(s) to a statewide application, if available: https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/ 1.10b Can all program components be applied for online? Yes No If no, explain which components can and cannot be applied for online. 1.11 Do you have a process for conducting and completing applications by phone Yes No 1.12 Do you or any of your subrecipients require in person appointments in order to apply Yes No If yes, please provide more information regarding why in-person appointments are required and in what circumstances they are required. 1.13 How can applicants submit documentation for verification? Select all that apply: In-person Mail Email Portal application Other, please describe Hidden for Section 1