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ENERGY PROGRAMS EP-300 LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

10 Section 300 Change #2-2026 May 1, 2026 300.09 INCOME & DEDUCTIONS Households meet income eligibility if the total household members' countable income for the base period (month(s) prior to application) is equal to or less than 130% of the current poverty level. Households containing individuals in the elderly population age 60 and above with income up to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the federal poverty level and disabled persons receiving services through the Division of Aging and Adult Services. Households with this special population will meet income eligibility if the total household members' countable income for the base period (month(s) prior to application) is equal to or less than 150% of the current poverty level. FNS base periods and income conversions do not apply to LIEAP. LIEAP base period is the month prior to the month of application for all sources of income including child support and self-employment. Income calculations are actual income received in the base period, unless the income source has terminated. If the applicant reports terminated income, count actual income received in the month of application. A. Income Income verification obtained from other sources such as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Medicaid (MA) or Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) can be used to verify income if it is current, representative and from the applicant’s current employer. If the income is not current and representative, the income becomes questionable, and verification is required. Online Verification System (OVS) must be run in NC FAST and can be used if income is current and representative. Representative means taking the OVS income and calculating the monthly amount. If this amount is comparable to the amount the client states, they received in the last 30 days then consider it representative and use this income as verification. If OVS does not return expected data, then the use of Online Verification (OLV) is allowed. Other acceptable forms of verification such as but not limited to check stubs, a wage verification form completed by the employer, or statements from employer. Client statement can be used as a last resort. An example of use of client’s statement would be if the applicant’s employer went out of business or moved out of town and the applicant is not able to provide wage verification. Documentation of efforts should be included to support accepting client’s statement as the last resort. Document the income verification used in NC FAST. This information should be uploaded in NC FAST. Refer to the following Food and Nutrition Services Manual sections for types of income to count, how to verify income and budgeting guidance to apply: • FNS 300 Sources of Income • FNS 305 Rules for Budgeting Income