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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Division 10 Service 415 Program 415 Chapters 05 - 65 North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Last Month's Income: $1,200 Current Month's Income: $ 1,800 Anticipated Income: $ 1,200 Averaging would be used, resulting in an annual income of $16,800, or an average of $1,400 per month. Even though the household’s income is over the monthly income limit for the application month, the household’s annual income falls within annual guidelines therefore, the household is eligible for month of application ongoing. In addition, the household is also income eligible for the prior month because income for that month falls within the monthly guidelines.

Income ineligibility in the month before the month of application does not automatically disqualify the household, but benefits cannot be paid for that month. In other words, if averaging is called for, the prior month's income will be used in the averaging calculation, even if the household cannot receive a benefit for that month. EXAMPLE: Income Limit (monthly): $1,000 Last Month's Income: $1,200 Current Month's Income: $ 600 Anticipated Income: $ 600 Averaging would be used, resulting in an average of $800 per month. Averaging may also be appropriate if the household’s income is at or near zero. 3. Whenever it can conclusively be demonstrated that the household income annualized in the manner described in "1" and "2" above is not the best indicator of the household's ability to pay their fuel costs, the State Program Administrator may approve or promulgate an alternative method that is reasonable and equitable.