3 COOLING ASSISTANCE

Eligibility, 2605(c)(1)(A), 2605 (b)(2) - Assurance 2 3.1 Designate The income eligibility threshold used for the Cooling component: Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 All Household Sizes State Median Income 60.00% 3.2 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Cooling assistance? Yes No 3.3 Check the appropriate boxes below and describe the policies for each. Do you require an Assets test? Yes No If yes, describe: The North Dakota State LIHEAP reserves the option to implement a cooling program contingent upon available funding, or in the event of unusual cooling needs due to weather aberrations or an emergency disaster. This component may implement any or all of the following cooling components, depending upon the nature of the cooling need or the amount of funding available. 1) Direct payments to LIHEAP households or vendors for cooling costs incurred throughout the year. 2) Purchase and installation of approved cooling devices for households with income eligibility for LIHEAP. Cooling Device Component The cooling device component will allow for the purchase and installation of approved cooling devices or the repair of existing cooling devices for households with income eligibility for LIHEAP. Households who have not been approved for LIHEAP during the regular heating season (October -May) will need to complete a regular heating assistance application to establish that the income of the household is within the guidelines allowed under the Heating Assistance component, as described in Section H, 1 of the ND State Plan Attachments Document. An emergency application is NOT required for the cooling device component. Since the assistance is for cooling devices, the applicant does not need to have responsibility to pay a heating or cooling bill. Therefore, households who are not eligible under the Heating Assistance component, as described in Section H, 2, of the state plan may be eligible for purchase of cooling devices under this cooling component. Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Renters Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Preference is given to high-risk households that are identified when the cooling assistance application is received, or a utility or other fuel supplier may refer a household when a serious payment problem is first discovered. Link to LIHEAP Policy Manual: http://www.nd.gov/dhs/policymanuals/415/415.htm Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Preference is given to high-risk households that are identified when the cooling assistance application is received, or a utility or other fuel supplier may refer a household when a serious payment problem is first discovered. Link to LIHEAP Policy Manual: http://www.nd.gov/dhs/policymanuals/415/415.htm Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Other? N/A Yes No If yes, describe: N/A Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: N/A 3.4 Describe how you prioritize the provision of cooling assistance to vulnerable populations, e.g., benefit amounts, early application periods, etc. Income eligibility is the only requirement for the cooling device component, therefore all households approved for heating assistance qualify for the cooling device component and priority is based on household’s request/need for the services. If direct payments are issued as part of this component, all established LIHEAP households who are responsible for their electric utility costs and who were on heating through May will automatically qualify for the assistance if their electric utility vendor information can be verified. Direct payments on behalf of households who were not on LIHEAP during the regular heating season, would require an approved LIHEAP application. Determination of Benefits 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 3.5 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: The income of the household must be within the guidelines allowed under the Heating Assistance component, as described in Section H, 1 of the ND State Plan Attachments Document. (Also see Section X of the ND State Plan Attachments document for details). North Dakota does not have a cooling benefit matrix. We do not issue benefits based on a flat benefit amount from a matrix. The cooling device program is part of the furnace repair/replacement contract with the Department of Commerce who, in turn, subcontracts with the Community Action Agencies to perform the services. The cooling device component of the cooling program is comprised entirely of AC installations, repairs/replacement of existing unit/system, or for the purchase of fans and NOT for payment of electric bills. If supplemental direct payments are issued, the amount and frequency of the payment(s) will be based on the LIHEAP share that was established for heating, solicited from the vendor, or obtained from available electricity cost reports. Benefit Levels, 2605(b)(5) - Assurance 5, 2605(c)(1)(B) 3.6 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 $1 Maximum Benefit $1,000 3.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., fans, air conditioners) and/or other forms of benefits? Yes No If yes, describe. The cooling device component of the cooling program does not pay a household's cooling costs. Instead, a LIHEAP-eligible household may qualify for a cooling device (an air conditioner or a fan, as the need dictates) or repair on an existing cooling device. The household need not be responsible for paying heating costs so tenants in subsidized housing may qualify. The income of the household must be within the guidelines allowed under the Heating Assistance component, as described in Section H, 1 of the ND State Plan Attachments Document. NOTE re MAXIMUM BENEFIT: There is no maximum amount that can be spent on an air conditioner except in the case of installing a central air unit where there was not one previously existing ($1000.00). However, this requirement can be waived under special circumstances with State Office approval. See DOC Residential Cooling Program FY2023 document attached. 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.