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 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 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 living in subsidized/public housing where all utilities are included in the rent, and they are not billed separately for their energy costs are ineligible for an EAP benefit unless they have an energy burden. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters living in housing where all utilities are included in the rent, and they are not billed separately for their energy costs are ineligible for an EAP benefit unless they have an energy burden. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Prior recipient households will be mailed a simplified re-determination application about 30 days preceding the date they may be eligible for a current year benefit. Applications should be processed within 30 days (rather than 60 days) of receipt. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Prior recipient households will be mailed a simplified re-determination application about 30 days preceding the date they may be eligible for a current year benefit. Applications should be processed within 30 days (rather than 60 days) of receipt. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Applications should be processed within 30 days (rather than 60 days) of receipt. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Other? Fast-Track Yes No If yes, describe: Fast-Track - The Fast-Track component provides expedited application processing for eligible households whose energy source is in danger of being interrupted. Specific eligibility criteria must be met to qualify. In addition to other qualifying criteria, the household must have experienced an unexpected loss or reduction in income during the last 6 months. Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: 1. Identification of the applicant is required. If the utility bills are not in the applicant's name, a statement from the individual named on the utility bill(s) with their address and phone number will be required. If it is a property management company, then a letter written by the property manager on the company's letterhead with their address and phone number will be required. 2. Applications must be submitted by the person whose name appears on the utility bill or the applicant must provide written authorization, from the individual whose name is printed on the bill, to act on their behalf. The applicant must be the person who is responsible for paying the cost of energy for the household. (Exceptions to the additional eligibility requirements may be granted by the Chief of Employment and Support Services if a hardship exists). 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. A flat $100 increase to the benefit cap will apply to households with elderly, disabled, and/or have a child less than 6 years of age member and the application should be processed within 30 days of receipt. 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: Eligible households having a Fixed Annual Credit (FAC) benefit of zero to and including $359 will receive a payment of $360. 1. Eligible households residing in master metered residences will have the following rules applied: 2. If all utilities are in the landlord's name and included in the rent, and the household does not reside in subsidized housing, and does not receive a separate bill that includes consumptions and dollar usage, the household will receive an annual payment of $360. • If all utilities are in the landlord's name but the household receives a separate bill that includes consumption and dollar usage, the household is eligible for a fixed annual credit or $360, whichever is greater, payable to the household. • If one of the utilities is in the landlord's name and one is in the household's name, the household will receive a fixed annual credit based on the utility in the household's name payable to the household's utility, unless the household receives a separate bill from the landlord that includes energy consumption and dollar usage. • If the household receives both, the household may receive a fixed annual credit based on both utilities payable to the household's utility not to exceed the annual usage, and the remainder payable to the household. • Eligible households with a solar vendor are eligible for the minimum annual payment of $360 for the solar vendor, unless their usage is more. 1. An eligible household with a solar vendor and a non-solar vendor, will be eligible to receive no more than $360 for the solar vendor and the benefit for the non-solar vendor will be calculated under the current method. 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 $360 Maximum Benefit $3,136 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 Yes No If yes, describe. Funds may be utilized to provide emergency supplies to households experiencing loss of electricity and/or heating for an extended period of time. The emergency supplies provided would depend on the emergency situation and the needs of the households impacted, which could include costs for temporary shelter for individuals in hotels or other living situations in which homes have been destroyed or damaged, costs for transportation to move individuals away from the crisis to shelters, when safety is endangered by loss of access to heating or cooling, utility reconnection costs/fees, coats and blankets, crisis payments for utilities and utility deposits, purchase generators, purchase of air conditioners, swamp coolers, or fans. 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.