Page 112

112 | P a g e October 25 ENERGY CRISIS - Weather-related and supply shortage emergencies and other household energy-related emergencies. EVALUATION – Is a periodic process through which the Human and Community Services Division (HCSD) determines whether the contractor is accomplishing expected activities in the time planned with the allocated resources. Evaluation is designed to gather and analyze information necessary to obtain a complete picture of the contractor's results. FOSTER CARE HOUSEHOLDS – Any foster care child or foster care adult who lives in the household and for whom foster care payments are being made may be either included or excluded from the household at the option of the LIHEAP applicant. This option must be exercised at the time of application and cannot be changed until a new application for the next heating season is made. FOSTER CARE PAYMENTS – Foster care payments received for a foster care child or adult may be excluded as income if the LIHEAP applicant has chosen to exclude the foster care child or adult from the household at the time of application. Such foster care payments are not excluded if the LIHEAP applicant has chosen to include the foster care child or adult as a member or the household at the time of application. Foster care payments received by the household in the one full month prior to the month of application for a foster care child or adult that is no longer a household member at the time of application are excluded as income. FUEL TYPES – LIHEAP heating assistance may be provided for only these allowable fuel types: Propane, Wood, Coal, Fuel Oil, Natural Gas and Electricity. Does not include portable generators, batteries, solar, gasoline, or diesel fuel. GROSS RECEIPTS – Verification of income from self-employment, all income before any deductions, including any non-excluded income not from self-employment which was received by members of the household in the twelve months immediately preceding the month of application. Annual net self-employment income may also be calculated based on the federal income tax return for the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year in which the application is filed. GROUP HOME – See Licensed Group-Living Situation HEARING OFFICER – An individual hired or appointed by the Department to conduct a hearing at the request of claimants and to make findings of fact and conclusions of law and to render decisions thereon under the rules and policies of the Department.