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113 | P a g e October 25 HEAT INCLUDED IN RENT– Formerly known as Tenant Cases. Households whose rent includes utilities (heat). HEATING NEED or HEATING OBLIGATION – Households/Applicants that are obligated to pay for fuel to heat their homes. Proof of the household’s heating need and type of primary fuel for the residence must be verified. HEATING SEASON – The period from October 1 through April 30 of the following year unless it is extended. HOUSEHOLD – Any individual or group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy is customarily purchased in common or who make undesignated payments for energy in the form of rent. An unborn child may not be counted as a member of a household. (Also see Foster Care Household definition). The physical address must be located within the state of Montana to be eligible for LIHEAP and weatherization benefits. INCOME – includes wages, salaries, commissions, tips, profits, gifts, interest or dividends, retirement pay, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, social security retirement and disability payments, supplemental security income payments, veterans administration payments, cash public assistance benefits such as temporary assistance for needy families or tribal, state or county general relief, and capital gains received by the members of the household for one month immediately preceding the month of application. (Refer to the income section of this manual for more information). The one-month figure will be annualized using income averaging (shown below) to arrive at the household’s annual income. W2’s may be used to calculate income on LIHEAP applications received in the month of January. INCOME AVERAGING – The CHIMES System calculates income as follows: • Bi-Monthly or Twice monthly = always paid two times per month, usually set dates such as 1st and 15th each month (24 paychecks/year). • Bi-weekly = every other week throughout the year (26 paychecks per year) Pay Frequency Conversion Factor Weekly 4.3 Bi- Weekly 2.15 Twice a month 2