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 60.00% 2 2 State Median Income 60.00% 3 3 State Median Income 60.00% 4 4 State Median Income 60.00% 5 5 State Median Income 60.00% 6 6 State Median Income 60.00% 7 7 State Median Income 60.00% 8 8 State Median Income 60.00% 9 9 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 10 10 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 11 11 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 12 12 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 13 13 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 14 14 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 15 15 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 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: The applicant must be living in the dwelling at the time of application. 1. Note: The household may also have business assets whose equity value does not exceed $25,000. BUSINESS EQUITY – A household having equity value in business assets in excess of $25,000 is ineligible. Formula for determining equity value: 1. 2. Fair Market Value - Less amount owing = Equity value* LIHEAP & Weatherization 2025-2026 Program Year Resource Limits Number in Household Non-Business Resources 1 $14,358 2 $21,966 3 $23,431 4 $24,896 5 $26,360 6 $27,825 7 $29,290 8 $29,290 9 $29,290 10 $29,290 11 $29,290 12 $29,290 Add additional $1,465 for each member up to $29,290 maximum per household. Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Note that subsidized rent households that have the heating bill in their name are eligible for regular LIHEAP benefit and the benefit will be paid directly to the fuel vendor. Residents of subsidized housing whose energy costs are included as a portion of their rent or who reside in publicly subsidized housing and have an obligation to pay a base load electric bill are not eligible for a regular LIHEAP benefit as determined in ARM 37.70.601. However, these households will be eligible for a modified LIHEAP benefit. The modified LIHEAP benefit will be paid at the rate of 5% of the amount of a regular LHIEAP benefit as identified by Montana’s LIHEAP benefit award matrix. A minimum payment of $25 will be paid to the household annually. Basing payments to these households on the matrix will ensure that assistance is provided to them in proportion to need in accordance with LIHEAP statute (42 U.S. Code 8623) Applications and Requirements Section 2605 (b)(5). In order to document the subsidized household has an energy burden the agency will document either: The amount of rent the household pays; or 1. Proof the electric bill is in the client’s name. 2. Households determined eligible for the Subsidized Housing Energy Assistance modified LIHEAP benefit whose economic and housing situation does not change will be determined LIHEAP eligible for a period of five (5) years. These households would receive an annual benefit. Residents of subsidized housing whose economic or housing situation changes during the five (5) year eligibility period will need to reapply. The households will not be required to wait five (5) years before reapplying. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: UTILITIES INCLUDED IN THE RENT (TENANTS): For eligible non-subsidized housing Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) tenant households where energy costs are included in rental payments, reimbursement to the client will be made. Note: Paid rent must be verified by receipts before reimbursement. Payments shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the amount of paid rent evidenced by the monthly rent receipt(s) or a pro-rata monthly amount of the benefit, whichever is less. The pro-rata monthly amount of the benefit is determined by dividing the benefit amount for the eligible household by the number of months in the heating season. The heating season is usually October through April, which is a seven (7) month period, so the benefit amount will be divided by seven (7). Note: Requests for reimbursement of paid rental costs must be made to the agency no later than June 20th. Failure to request reimbursement on or before June 20th, will result in forfeiture of any remaining benefits for the heating season. The June 20 date will be extended when the heating season has been extended. Reimbursements to utilities in rent households may be made monthly, in two (2) payments, or in one (1) payment. Reimbursements cannot exceed the household’s benefit amount for the heating season. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Pre-printed applications will be sent to households that heat with a deliverable fuel (Wood, Coal, Fuel Oil and Propane) beginning in September. This allows the households to purchase fuel at cheaper prices. Pre-printed applications will be sent to fixed income households (elderly and disabled) beginning in October. This allows the vulnerable populations to receive a LIHEAP benefit quicker. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Pre-printed applications will be sent to households that heat with a deliverable fuel (Wood, Coal, Fuel Oil and Propane) beginning in September. This allows the households to purchase fuel at cheaper prices. Pre-printed applications will be sent to fixed income households (elderly and disabled) beginning in October. This allows the vulnerable populations to receive a LIHEAP benefit quicker. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Pre-printed applications will be sent to households that heat with a deliverable fuel (Wood, Coal, Fuel Oil and Propane) beginning in September. This allows the households to purchase fuel at cheaper prices. Pre-printed applications will be sent to fixed income households (elderly and disabled) beginning in October. This allows the vulnerable populations to receive a LIHEAP benefit quicker. 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. Pre-printed applications will be sent to households that heat with a deliverable fuel (Wood, Coal, Fuel Oil and Propane) beginning in September. This allows the households to purchase fuel at cheaper prices. Pre-printed applications will be sent to fixed income households (elderly and disabled) beginning in October. This allows the vulnerable populations to receive a LIHEAP benefit quicker. 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: Other - Describe: In addition, the benefit level is determined based on the number of physical bedrooms in the dwelling. Attached to the Model Plan is a detailed step-by-step example on how to calculate a LIHEAP benefit. It is labeled "Heating Benefit Matrix". Ineligible member(s) will not be counted in determining household size for benefit calculation. This allows households with ineligible member(s) to receive a LIHEAP benefit. In households with ineligible members, only the total number of eligible members will be counted for purposes of calculating the benefit. However, all the income will be counted for both ineligible and eligible household members. Chimes will still track total number of members in the household (both ineligible and eligible) for weatherization purposes 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 $180 Maximum Benefit $3,228 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 Yes No If yes, describe. Space heaters are provided to alleviate a life-threatening or emergency situation. Cooling assistance is allowable during sustained high temperatures. Cooling assistance will be limited to the purchase of fans, operation or support of local cooling centers, coordination with local social service agencies, relocation to a hotel/motel and providing an air conditioner to cool one room (where medically necessary). 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.