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: Subsidized households (public housing authority) who are only responsible for periodic payment of individual excess utility usage charges (heating expenses included in rent) are not eligible for heating assistance. Subsidized households (public housing) whose heating costs are included in the rent (utilities paid by the housing authority) are not eligible for heating assistance. Renters with utilities included in the rent? Yes No If yes, describe: Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: The Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) assigns points according to energy burden, awarding the highest value to households with the highest percentage of energy burden, resulting in a weighted benefit. Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child under the age of six); the VaCMS assigns points according to vulnerability status, awarding the highest value to whichever condition is present, resulting in a weighted benefit. Please see Attachment I for an explanation of how points are determined. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: The Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) assigns points according to energy burden, awarding the highest value to households with the highest percentage of energy burden, resulting in a weighted benefit. Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child under the age of six); the VaCMS assigns points according to vulnerability status, awarding the highest value to whichever condition is present, resulting in a weighted benefit. Please see Attachment I for an explanation of how points are determined. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: The Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) assigns points according to energy burden, awarding the highest value to households with the highest percentage of energy burden, resulting in a weighted benefit. Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child under the age of six); the VaCMS assigns points according to vulnerability status, awarding the highest value to whichever condition is present, resulting in a weighted benefit. Please see Attachment I for an explanation of how points are determined. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: The Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) assigns points according to energy burden, awarding the highest value to households with the highest percentage of energy burden, resulting in a weighted benefit. Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child under the age of six); the VaCMS assigns points according to vulnerability status, awarding the highest value to whichever condition is present, resulting in a weighted benefit. Please see Attachment I for an explanation of how points are determined. Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: All explanations listed 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. Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child Priority is given to households which include vulnerable individuals (elderly, disabled, or a child under the age of six); the VaCMS assigns points according to vulnerability status, awarding the highest value to whichever condition is present, resulting in a weighted benefit. Please seeAttachment I for an explanation of how points are determined. 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: Vulnerability Factors: elderly individuals aged 60 or over; disabled individuals; and young children under six years of age are awarded more points. The VaCMS assigns points (see Attachment I) to each household which reflects the household’s status with regard to the factors listed above. The more points attributed to a household, the larger the benefit. The highest amount of assistance is provided to those households having the highest energy costs and the lowest monthly income. Please see 'Attachment I - Benefit Matrix for Fuel' for details on the point value assigned to various household characteristics. At the time of the annual Heating Assistance benefit calculation (December), benefits are calculated and awarded to all approved households based on the allocation and the number of matrix points awarded statewide. Maximum and minimum benefit amounts are determined at the time of benefit determination. For FFY2025, the maximum benefit level was $634.43. The minimum benefit level was $181.26. The dollar value per matrix point was $4.531665. (When the Heating Assistance benefit calculation is completed in December of 2024, we will know the maximum and minimum benefit levels as well as the dollar value per matrix point for FFY2026.) 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 $181 Maximum Benefit $634 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.