16 Performance Goals and Measures, 2605(b)

16.1 Describe your progress toward meeting the data collection and reporting requirements of the four required LIHEAP (Benefit Targeting Index, Burden Reduction Targeting Index, Restoration of Home Energy Service, and Prevention of Loss of Home Energy Service). Include timeframes and plans for meeting these requirements and what you believe will be accomplished in the coming federal fiscal year. Montana submitted data to meet the required performance measures. Montana's Performance Measures data will be used to examine alternative scenarios to determine how program changes can impact program outcomes. The following questions are on the LIHEAP application. Do you have central air conditioning? 1. Do you have window/wall air conditioning (including an evaporative cooler)? 2. Has your household received a utility (heat) past due notice in the last 30 days? 3. Do you have less than 10% deliverable fuel (oil/propane/coal/wood) on hand? 4. Is your utility (heat) service currently disconnected? 5. Are you completely out of deliverable fuel (oil/propane/coal/wood)? 6. Is the household main heat source working properly? 7. Those questions allow Montana to use its current system to report the number of households that had heating or cooling equipment repaired or replaced prior to failure; and the number of households where broken heating equipment needs to be repaired or replaced. Montana does not directly provide crisis assistance for terminations or households out of fuel. Energy Share of Montana provides funds to assist households with utility service terminations and households out of fuel. The above questions allow Montana to use its current system to track households where utility service termination was prevented; where a fuel delivery prevented loss of service; where utility service was restored; and where a fuel delivery was made to a home that was out of fuel. A report was created to allow anyone with Montana LIHEAP system access to run a report that will provide the LIHEAP performance measures data at any point in time. A vendor portal was developed. The vendor portal allows small fuel vendors to enter fuel consumption directly into the Central LIHEAP database. LIHEAP performance data is reviewed by DPHHS LIHEAP staff to ensure that the high burden households with the greatest energy needs are receiving the largest benefits and therefore reducing their energy burden as compared to all households. DPHHS analyzes fuel costs, consumption data, income/poverty levels, and fuel type when determining the benefit levels for the upcoming LIHEAP season. Our goal every year to set benefits levels so that the high burden households have a greater share of the energy burden covered by LIHEAP 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.