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 1 State Median Income 54.14% 2 2 State Median Income 55.95% 3 3 State Median Income 57.07% 4 4 State Median Income 60.00% 5 5 State Median Income 60.00% 6 6 State Median Income 60.00% 7 7 State Median Income 60.00% 8 8 State Median Income 60.00% 9 9 State Median Income 60.00% 10 10 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 with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: For households that have utilities included in rent, they have different benefit amounts than households that pay a vendor directly. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: 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. When an addendum is filed, the Energy Assistance worker determines if there is other assistance that allows the case to be processed as Categorically Income Eligible as discussed in Chapter 3. Households meeting the criteria for categorically income eligible may be processed following non CE processing if they have provided verifications. Applicants may file an on-line application, paper application or addendum at any time during the year. When an addendum is filed, the Energy Assistance worker determines if there is other assistance that allows the case to be processed as Categorically Income Eligible as discussed in Chapter 3. Households meeting the criteria for categorically income eligible may be processed following non CE processing if they have provided verifications. • Fixed Income Cases – last year’s income was SSA, SSI, VA or RR Income o COLA increase is applied to the income and case is automatically approved if below income maximum • SNAP Categorically Income Eligible Cases – A match is done with the most recent SNAP eligible download file o EA Worker utilizes the CatElgDB.accdb and verifies case information and updates income • All other cases – Pre-printed applications were mailed to households to verify case information and gather updated income 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: 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 $668 Maximum Benefit $3,437 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.