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Vermont Department for Children and Families Seasonal Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 2914 Calculation of Benefits

2914 Calculation of Benefits (06/22/2024, 23-18)

a. The Department must calculate a household’s benefit amount by following the steps below in order:

1. Determine household size by counting the number of persons residing in the living unit, excluding those persons who are ineligible or who are not considered members of the household under these rules;

2. Determine the household’s gross income in accordance with rules 2910–2912;

3. Determine the maximum allowable income based on the household’s size using the table in the Fuel Procedures Manual;

i. If gross income is more than the maximum allowable income based on the household’s size, the household is ineligible for fuel benefits;

4. Determine the percentage of poverty based on the household’s size and gross income using the table in the Fuel Procedures Manual;

5. Determine the percentage of benefits under rule 2915 using the percentage of poverty determined above in step 4;

6. Determine the annual primary heating fuel cost, based on the type and size of the household’s living unit, using the Standard Heating Cost Tables in the Fuel Procedures Manual;

7. Determine the base benefit amount by multiplying the percentage of benefits (determined in step 5) and the household’s annual primary heating fuel cost (determined in step 6); and

8. Determine the ratable benefit amount by multiplying the base benefit amount (determined in step 7) and the payment rate, which is established by procedure based on the number of eligible households and the amount of funds available for Fuel Program benefits;

i. The payment rate must not exceed 100%; and

ii. The Department may adjust the payment rate at any time if the total amount of funds available to the Fuel Assistance Program or the total number of eligible households changes during a heating season.