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 State Median Income 60.00% 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 Living in subsidized housing? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters in subsidized housing are eligible if they meet all other requirements if they are responsible for paying the heating bill directly. Renters residing in subsidized housing are not eligible if the heat is included in rent. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters with heat included in rent have same eligibility requirements (other than subsidized rents with heat included), but benefits are reduced compared to those who pay directly to an energy provider for their heat. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Any household with someone age 60 or older is given priority as described in 2.4 below. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Any household with someone with a disability defined as a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities is given priority as described in 2.4 below. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Any household with someone younger than 6 years old at time of application is given priority as described in 2.4 below. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Other? See below. Yes No If yes, describe: Applicants who heat with wood or wood fuel products are included in the priority categories as • described in 2.4 below. Applicants who heat with a deliverable fuel are prioritized for intake and certification during a six week period from approx. September 1 – October 15. • Applicants who experienced a winter heating crisis in the prior program year receive priority outreach through Assurance 16 activities during the “pre-season” period (July through October). • Applicants who are experiencing a heating crisis during the crisis period of December 1 – April 30 are given priority as described • Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Renters are eligible for LIHEAP and there is no separate policy if there have a direct cost for heat. Renters who pay for heat included in their rent are eligible for a reduced benefit. • Households residing in subsidized housing are eligible if they have a direct cost for heat. Households are not eligible if heat is included in their subsidized rent. • Any household with one or more members who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply starting in July (program opens to all in October): a household member who is age 60 or older, age 5 or young, or who has a disability defined as a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities • 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. The households noted above – those with household members who are 60 or older, under 6 years of age, or disabled, as well as those households who heat with wood, are given early access to apply to the program. These households, referred to here as our “priority applicants,” can submit applications as early as July 1 each year. A targeted mailing is sent to all priority applicants who applied in the prior year. During July and August (as well as throughout the season), communications and marketing target eligible priority applicants through elderly centers, early child development centers, housing developments, and publications targeted toward these populations. 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: The annual heating cost is a variable in the benefit matrix. It can either be actual annual heat cost or a calculated proxy amount from a heating cost table using dwelling type, number of rooms, heating degree days, and fuel type. Benefit levels as reported in 2.6 below (and also listed in section 4.12) are based on a level funding amount compared to FY25. Benefits may be scaled up or down based on funding allocated to our state for FY26. 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 $100 Maximum Benefit $2,177 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.