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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
For emergency assistance purposes, income is defined as the household's net income or the actual amount of funds available from any source that can be used for the household's basic living costs (see below), including heating fuel and utilities.
Do not make the deductions from income described in 415-25-05-05. The appropriate deductions will be accounted for in basic living costs described below.
All sources of income are considered available unless exempt by law, or it is the children's earned income described in 415-25-05-50, or it is a reimbursement of an expense paid from income previously counted, or it is restricted for some other specified expense. (Note. A portion of some types of income are restricted for the costs of producing the income.) 4. Available Credit: 1. Credit or loans that may be available to an applicant household is also considered a resource. For example: • The dealer's credit policy for all of their customers may include the applicant household. • Bank loans may be available depending on the household’s credit rating or equity of assets that can be used as collateral. • Some business/farm operating loans include daily living expenses and could be released to purchase fuel. • Even unsecured personal loans may be available from an individual or organization in the community. • The household should be cautioned not to accept a loan if they do not have the realistic capability to repay the loan with interest. 5. Basic Living Expenses: 1. Although not required, eligibility for emergency assistance is usually established if the assistance available from community sources combined with the household's income, available personal resources, and credit, is equal to or less than total monthly basic living expenses. • Food--To determine actual household food costs the SNAP Thrifty Food Plan may be used as a guide, minus the value of any SNAP benefits the household receives. Add any special food costs.