2 HEATING ASSISTANCE

Eligibility, 2605(b)(2) - Assurance 2 2.1 Designate the income eligibility threshold used for the heating component: Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 1 State Median Income 39.00% 2 2 State Median Income 40.00% 3 3 State Median Income 41.00% 4 4 State Median Income 41.70% 5 5 State Median Income 42.00% 6 6 State Median Income 42.40% 7 7 State Median Income 46.00% 8 8 State Median Income 50.90% 9 9 State Median Income 54.89% 10 10 State Median Income 58.70% 11 11 State Median Income 60.00% 12 12 State Median Income 60.00% 13 13 State Median Income 60.00% 14 14 State Median Income 60.00% 15 15 State Median Income 60.00% 2.2 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Heating Assistance? Yes No 2.3 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: Applicants who are renters are eligible to receive energy assistance benefits provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Specific rental arrangements between the renter (tenant) and the landlord must be verified to determine if and how benefits will be paid. Direct Payment of Heating Costs: Renters who pay their heating costs directly must identify their energy supplier and fuel type. Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Applicants living in subsidized housing must provide proof that they are directly responsible for paying their own heating costs. Renters who are living in subsidized housing receive a lower benefit level than those with similar incomes who do not have access to subsidized housing, as a utility allowance is incorporated into their subsidy Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters, including roomers and boarders, who pay their energy costs indirectly as undesignated portions of rent payments must provide the name, address, and phone number of the landlord to whom the rent payments are made. If their application is approved, benefits will be paid to the landlord, and the rent will be reduced accordingly. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: The benefit matrix is designed to ensure those with the lowest income, highest energy burden receive the highest benefits. Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Determination of Benefits 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 2.4 Describe how you prioritize the provision of heating assistance to vulnerable populations, e.g., benefit amounts, early application periods, etc. In FY 2019, Maryland launched its Critical Medical Needs Program. This program provides a streamlined and expedited application process for individuals with medical vulnerabilities. Applicants with a Physician's Certification receive expedited processing. Under the arrearage assistance program, vulnerable applicants may receive a waiver to obtain forgiveness of past due electric and gas bills multiple times within a 5-year period, unlike non-vulnerable applicants who can only obtain this benefit once every 5 years. In 2023, in compliance with state legislation enacted under Article II, Section 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution—Chapter 665, Maryland began its Universal Redetermination Process. This process expanded the Redetermination Process launched in Maryland in 2019. The redetermination process provides a streamlined application process for OHEP recipients aged 60 and older. With the implementation of Uniform Redetermination, the annual redetermination process was expanded beyond seniors to include disabled applicants and critically ill applicants who received benefits through Maryland’s Critical Medical Needs Program. While the Uniform Redetermination process requires applicants to submit a new, streamlined application every year, additional supporting documentation is not requested from the applicant and is instead pulled from the previous year’s application file. 2.5 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: The program takes into account whether a customer lives in subsidized housing and whether the utility bill is in the name of the customer or the landlord. The program takes climate into consideration and applies a 1.1 multiplier to MEAP benefits for Garrett County residents due to their prolonged, harsh winters (typically October through April). Benefit Levels, 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 2.6 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 $25 Maximum Benefit $1,100 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 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.