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 HHS Poverty Guidelines 150.00% 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: 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 housing must have the utility bill in their name in order to be considered vulnerable. If the utility bill is in the landlord or property management name, renter must provide verification that they pay an unsubsidized utility bill via the landlord or property management company. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Renters with utilities included in the rent must provide a landlord statement or lease agreement as verification to be eligible for energy assistance benefits. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Households that include members of a target group (young children, individuals with disabilities, or elderly persons) will receive an additional $150 in energy assistance benefits. These households will also be prioritized for application review through the month of October. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Households that include members of a target group (young children, individuals with disabilities, or elderly persons) will receive an additional $150 in energy assistance benefits. These households will also be prioritized for application review through the month of October. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Households that include members of a target group (young children, individuals with disabilities, or elderly persons) will receive an additional $150 in energy assistance benefits. These households will also be prioritized for application review through the month of October. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: The higher the energy burden, the higher the benefit for the household. Other? Supplemental payments Yes No If yes, describe: We will determine the need to pay out supplemental payments to HEAT qualified households when funding permits and/or there are circumstances that warrant a supplemental payment to be paid out. This may be a flat benefit across the board or a benefit determined by energy burden and target group eligibility. This is different from the supplemental payments referred to in our policy manual that refers to supplemental payments when there is an underpayment on an account.3.1 - We use 150% FPG for income eligibility. The benefit matrix is a bit confusing. It divides cell B8 (total income) from B9 (100% FPG) and it produces a decimal number in B10. Then in B11 you have to convert that decimal number to a whole number and that equals the FPG the client is at. If it is over 150 then the client is not eligible because that is over 150% FPG. We are working on simplifying the matrix. Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: 3.4 Describe how you prioritize the provision of cooling assistance to vulnerable populations, e.g., benefit amounts, early application periods, etc. Outreach activities are conducted for this population throughout the year. Applications received in October that have a target group member (elderly, disabled, or children under 6 years of age) will be prioritized for application review. All other applications are processed in the order they were received. Applications are mailed directly to elderly and/or disabled households during the year to give them an opportunity to apply for energy assistance as needed. Households with elderly, disabled, or children under 6 years of age will receive an extra $150 in energy assistance benefits. 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: Households with elderly, disabled, or children under 6 years of age, also known as target groups, will receive an additional $150 in energy assistance benefits. Households using propane or gas as their primary heating source receive an additional $150 in their energy assistance benefit calculation. 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 $140 Maximum Benefit $800 3.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., fans, air conditioners) and/or other forms of benefits? Yes No If yes, describe. Through our Weatherization program, fans and air conditioners may be purchased by agencies for households with a need for additional cooling mechanisms. 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.