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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual 800 BUDGETING

A procedure used to determine eligibility based on the income and circumstances that exist preceding the application or application review. Terms: I. Application Date: The application date is the date the Agency receives an application form containing the applicant’s name, address, and appropriate signature. Applications received outside of normal business hours by fax or the drop boxes are considered received and date stamped the next business day. This is the first day these applications are available to the agency for processing. II. Application Review Period: The application review period is the period the application is being worked by a case worker to determine if all of the verification has been submitted to support the case. III. Benefit Period: The dates established by a case decision to authorize EAP benefits on a specific date for a specified length of time. EAP benefits are authorized for a twelve-month period, unless the case certification is shortened or the case closes. IV. Countable Gross Income (Annualized): Verified countable gross income (both earned and unearned) received by a household in a 30-day period preceding the application/application review. Using the monthly circumstances annualize the gross income to determine eligibility and benefit amount. Example: if countable gross income is $500; the annual gross income is $6,000 ($500x12). 1. If income fluctuates to the extent that a 30-day period cannot provide an accurate estimate, income from the same source for up to 12-months prior to the application/application review date may be used. 2. If actual income is unavailable, monthly gross income may be calculated using the conversion methodologies in section 804. V. Best Estimate Budgeting: The process used to calculate a household’s monthly income when determining monthly benefits. Documentation of the conversion methodology used in budgeting income must be recorded in the case file. 801 BUDGET MONTH Income documentation is collected for at least the: I. thirty (30) days immediately prior to the date of application; or,

II. thirty (30) days prior to case processing (aka: application review). If the applicant household has an anticipated change in income/circumstances or reports a new income source during the application period, updated income documentation is required, for at least the thirty (30) days immediately prior to the application review/case processing. This would MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 1 - Section 800 – Budgeting