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 All Household Sizes HHS Poverty Guidelines 130.00% 2 All Household Sizes 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: Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Yes No If yes, describe: renters have to fall into the vulnerability policy guidelines: 400.06 VULNERABILITY To be eligible, a household must be vulnerable at the time of application. A household is vulnerable if it has a heating source billed separately and it is subject to the rising cost of heating for the heat expense. Accept the applicant’s statement about the vulnerability status for the household. 1. If a household lives in a private living arrangement with a heating source and heat costs are billed separately, it is fully vulnerable. 2. If a household lives in public housing where heat costs are billed separately from the rent, it is fully vulnerable. 3. An applicant who lives in a private living arrangement who does not receive a separate bill from the energy provider, they are not vulnerable. 4. A household living in public housing where utilities for heat are billed separately from the rent or where utilities for heat are included in the rent, and the household has paid an excess in utilities for heat in the last 12 months at the current address, is fully vulnerable. County needs to have the public housing/housing authority sign a vendor contract for the payment check to be written to them directly or the public housing/housing authority needs to provide the account number for the household applying for benefits. For additional verification of a heating arrangement in public housing, contact the local public housing authority. 5. A person living in an institution is not vulnerable. NOTE: Receipt of a utility allowance does not affect vulnerability status. Section 8 households are considered in a private living arrangement. Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Yes, households must meet the vulnerability guidelines as seen above. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Yes, households must meet the vulnerability guidelines as seen above. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Yes, North Carolina reserves the month of December for our special population group to apply for the heating program (LIEAP) before opening the applications to all households beginning January- March. Also, the special population group (60+ older and disabled) is evaluated on a 150% FPL vs non-special population households with no members 60+ or older and disabled, which are evaluated on a 130% FPL for the heating program. The special population group consist of households with an indivudal aged 60 or older or disabled. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Yes, North Carolina reserves the month of December for our special population group to apply for the heating program (LIEAP) before opening the applications to all households beginning January- March. Also, the special population group (60+ older and disabled) is evaluated on a 150% FPL vs non-special population households with no members 60+ or older and disabled, which are evaluated on a 130% FPL for the heating program. The special population group consist of households with an indivudal aged 60 or older or disabled. 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: The special population group (60+ older and disabled) is evaluated on a 150% FPL vs non-special population households with no members 60+ or older and disabled, which are evaluated on a 130% FPL for the heating program. State policy sections 300.02 (special population requirements) and 300.09 (income limits for special population). 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. North Carolina prioritizes vulnerable populations by evaluating on a higher income scale and early application periods. Per state policy sections 300.02 and 300.09. 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: All program benefit levels are based on income, fuel type and household size. LIEAP, the heating program available during heating season determines benefit amounts based on income, household size and fuel type to issue a one time payment on utility bill. During LIEAP season, households that heat their homes with a heating source other than coal or wood, their LIEAP payment is higher than for households with coal or wood heating sources, due to the higher cost to heat a home with a heating source other than wood or coal. Per state policy section 300.12. 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 $300 Maximum Benefit $500 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 Yes No If yes, describe. 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.