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 State Median Income 60.00% 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: Renters with Utilities Included in the Rent, please see section 4.4.16 Landlord and/or management company contact information is essential to Weatherization referrals. For all rental situations, agencies shall enter, in the system, the landlord or management company contact information. Workers shall not allow an application to deny if the customer does not provide landlord information within 30 days of the application date. Applications may need to be reinstated if denied incorrectly for not providing landlord information. Customers are required to provide verification for the following payment methods and the means of verification must be indicated in Home Energy Plus (HE+) System Notes: • Rental payment includes energy in the monthly rent. • Separate payment is made to the landlord, mobile home park owner. • Do not pay When verifying that the heat is included in rent or seperate payment to landlord, workers shall verify with the landlord or vendor what the primary heating type is for that dwelling and included that verification in notes. Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Yes No If yes, describe: Priority in eligibility to elderly, disabled and households with young children, please see section. 9.2.3 Outreach 1) Agencies are required to provide outreach services to maximize participation of eligible persons for WHEAP benefits. Outreach activities must target households with disabled persons, elderly persons, children under six years old, and persons working at low-wage jobs (working poor). The “outreach indicator” is a question on the paper and system application. See Section 3.4.4 for more information about the outreach indicator. 2) Agencies are required to prominently display the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/ WHEAP Co-Branding Poster in the agency’s main waiting area for WHEAP intake if in-person intake is available. WHEAP agencies are encouraged to also consider displaying the poster in intake workers’ offices, outreach locations, and other appropriate areas. Agencies may choose to develop and display their own WHEAP posters provided they contact the HE+ logo and the county/ tribe specific Co-Branding logo. 3) Agencies are encouraged to play the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/WHEAP video(s)* in agencies’ main customer service waiting areas. Agencies shall make the Home Energy Plus video(s) accessible via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter and/or the agency website, if feasible. 4) Agencies shall reference and provide the Online Application link (energybenefit.wi. gov) via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or the agency website, if feasible. 5) Agencies are required to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful and equal access to benefits and services. The agency is required to provide spoken interpretation in addition to translated written publications as some individuals may not read English or other language. The agency must have a mechanism to communicate orally with people with LEP. Providing the Spanish version of the Home Energy Plus (HE+) Application is not fulfilling this policy requirement. If the applicant requires spoken communication and/or explanation in addition to the translated application, agencies shall ensure verbal interpretation is available. 6) Agencies are required to provide services to the disabled and impaired, including but not limited to assisting applicants with the completion of the application form, translation of material, interpretation services for deaf, and reading services for blind. 7) Agencies must establish HE+ application methods that are accessible to targeted households and process submitted Online Applications within a reasonable time. 8) Agencies must comply with Federal Law and provide an alternate intake method separate from a site which administers W-2/TANF. All agencies are compliant due to the implementation of Online Applications. 9) Agencies must provide assistance with the preparation and submittal of applications by persons who are homebound. 10) Agencies must arrange an early application period for persons in targeted groups and high-risk households. 11) Agencies are required to complete a Program Operations and Community Service Plan (POCS) Plan. The Division provided template is available on the HE+ Training & Technical Assistance website under WHEAP>Forms. Each agency is required to review their current Plan and update the date reviewed section on the Plan before the start of each program year. The goal of this plan is to provide agencies with a means to describe how the agency will conduct outreach, how they will identify and enroll eligible households in their communities and explain how the agency will reach targeted households. The POCS Plan should indicate what other community resources/ stakeholders play a role in this outreach effort and identify key stakeholders that the agency coordinates efforts/referrals with. In addition, the list should indicate the local agency's contact person and the resource services provided. The plan must be made available to the Division upon request. 12) Agencies may establish interagency agreements with other low-income program offices to perform some of the outreach activities to targeted groups. *The Home Energy Plus videos are on the Home Energy Plus Training and Technical Website (HE+ TTA) under Administration > HE+ Videos. Individuals with a disability? Yes No If yes, describe: Priority in eligibility to elderly, disabled and households with young children, please see section. 9.2.3 Outreach 1) Agencies are required to provide outreach services to maximize participation of eligible persons for WHEAP benefits. Outreach activities must target households with disabled persons, elderly persons, children under six years old, and persons working at low-wage jobs (working poor). The “outreach indicator” is a question on the paper and system application. See Section 3.4.4 for more information about the outreach indicator. 2) Agencies are required to prominently display the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/ WHEAP Co-Branding Poster in the agency’s main waiting area for WHEAP intake if in-person intake is available. WHEAP agencies are encouraged to also consider displaying the poster in intake workers’ offices, outreach locations, and other appropriate areas. Agencies may choose to develop and display their own WHEAP posters provided they contact the HE+ logo and the county/ tribe specific Co-Branding logo. 3) Agencies are encouraged to play the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/WHEAP video(s)* in agencies’ main customer service waiting areas. Agencies shall make the Home Energy Plus video(s) accessible via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter and/or the agency website, if feasible. 4) Agencies shall reference and provide the Online Application link (energybenefit.wi. gov) via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or the agency website, if feasible. 5) Agencies are required to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful and equal access to benefits and services. The agency is required to provide spoken interpretation in addition to translated written publications as some individuals may not read English or other language. The agency must have a mechanism to communicate orally with people with LEP. Providing the Spanish version of the Home Energy Plus (HE+) Application is not fulfilling this policy requirement. If the applicant requires spoken communication and/or explanation in addition to the translated application, agencies shall ensure verbal interpretation is available. 6) Agencies are required to provide services to the disabled and impaired, including but not limited to assisting applicants with the completion of the application form, translation of material, interpretation services for deaf, and reading services for blind. 7) Agencies must establish HE+ application methods that are accessible to targeted households and process submitted Online Applications within a reasonable time. 8) Agencies must comply with Federal Law and provide an alternate intake method separate from a site which administers W-2/TANF. All agencies are compliant due to the implementation of Online Applications. 9) Agencies must provide assistance with the preparation and submittal of applications by persons who are homebound. 10) Agencies must arrange an early application period for persons in targeted groups and high-risk households. 11) Agencies are required to complete a Program Operations and Community Service Plan (POCS) Plan. The Division provided template is available on the HE+ Training & Technical Assistance website under WHEAP>Forms. Each agency is required to review their current Plan and update the date reviewed section on the Plan before the start of each program year. The goal of this plan is to provide agencies with a means to describe how the agency will conduct outreach, how they will identify and enroll eligible households in their communities and explain how the agency will reach targeted households. The POCS Plan should indicate what other community resources/ stakeholders play a role in this outreach effort and identify key stakeholders that the agency coordinates efforts/referrals with. In addition, the list should indicate the local agency's contact person and the resource services provided. The plan must be made available to the Division upon request. 12) Agencies may establish interagency agreements with other low-income program offices to perform some of the outreach activities to targeted groups. *The Home Energy Plus videos are on the Home Energy Plus Training and Technical Website (HE+ TTA) under Administration > HE+ Videos. Young children? Yes No If yes, describe: Priority in eligibility to elderly, disabled and households with young children, please see section. 9.2.3 Outreach 1) Agencies are required to provide outreach services to maximize participation of eligible persons for WHEAP benefits. Outreach activities must target households with disabled persons, elderly persons, children under six years old, and persons working at low-wage jobs (working poor). The “outreach indicator” is a question on the paper and system application. See Section 3.4.4 for more information about the outreach indicator. 2) Agencies are required to prominently display the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/ WHEAP Co-Branding Poster in the agency’s main waiting area for WHEAP intake if in-person intake is available. WHEAP agencies are encouraged to also consider displaying the poster in intake workers’ offices, outreach locations, and other appropriate areas. Agencies may choose to develop and display their own WHEAP posters provided they contact the HE+ logo and the county/ tribe specific Co-Branding logo. 3) Agencies are encouraged to play the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/WHEAP video(s)* in agencies’ main customer service waiting areas. Agencies shall make the Home Energy Plus video(s) accessible via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter and/or the agency website, if feasible. 4) Agencies shall reference and provide the Online Application link (energybenefit.wi. gov) via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or the agency website, if feasible. 5) Agencies are required to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful and equal access to benefits and services. The agency is required to provide spoken interpretation in addition to translated written publications as some individuals may not read English or other language. The agency must have a mechanism to communicate orally with people with LEP. Providing the Spanish version of the Home Energy Plus (HE+) Application is not fulfilling this policy requirement. If the applicant requires spoken communication and/or explanation in addition to the translated application, agencies shall ensure verbal interpretation is available. 6) Agencies are required to provide services to the disabled and impaired, including but not limited to assisting applicants with the completion of the application form, translation of material, interpretation services for deaf, and reading services for blind. 7) Agencies must establish HE+ application methods that are accessible to targeted households and process submitted Online Applications within a reasonable time. 8) Agencies must comply with Federal Law and provide an alternate intake method separate from a site which administers W-2/TANF. All agencies are compliant due to the implementation of Online Applications. 9) Agencies must provide assistance with the preparation and submittal of applications by persons who are homebound. 10) Agencies must arrange an early application period for persons in targeted groups and high-risk households. 11) Agencies are required to complete a Program Operations and Community Service Plan (POCS) Plan. The Division provided template is available on the HE+ Training & Technical Assistance website under WHEAP>Forms. Each agency is required to review their current Plan and update the date reviewed section on the Plan before the start of each program year. The goal of this plan is to provide agencies with a means to describe how the agency will conduct outreach, how they will identify and enroll eligible households in their communities and explain how the agency will reach targeted households. The POCS Plan should indicate what other community resources/ stakeholders play a role in this outreach effort and identify key stakeholders that the agency coordinates efforts/referrals with. In addition, the list should indicate the local agency's contact person and the resource services provided. The plan must be made available to the Division upon request. 12) Agencies may establish interagency agreements with other low-income program offices to perform some of the outreach activities to targeted groups. *The Home Energy Plus videos are on the Home Energy Plus Training and Technical Website (HE+ TTA) under Administration > HE+ Videos. Households with high energy burdens? Yes No If yes, describe: The benefit formula is weighted to award a higher benefit to those househeolds with a high energy burden. Other? Yes No If yes, describe: Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Priority in eligibility to elderly, disabled and households with young children, please see section. 9.2.3 Outreach 1) Agencies are required to provide outreach services to maximize participation of eligible persons for WHEAP benefits. Outreach activities must target households with disabled persons, elderly persons, children under six years old, and persons working at low-wage jobs (working poor). The “outreach indicator” is a question on the paper and system application. See Section 3.4.4 for more information about the outreach indicator. 2) Agencies are required to prominently display the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/WHEAP Co-Branding Poster in the agency’s main waiting area for WHEAP intake if in-person intake is available. WHEAP agencies are encouraged to also consider displaying the poster in intake workers’ offices, outreach locations, and other appropriate areas. Agencies may choose to develop and display their own WHEAP posters provided they contact the HE+ logo and the county/tribe specific Co-Branding logo. 3) Agencies are encouraged to play the Home Energy Plus Weatherization/WHEAP video(s)* in agencies’ main customer service waiting areas. Agencies shall make the Home Energy Plus video(s) accessible via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter and/or the agency website, if feasible. 4) Agencies shall reference and provide the Online Application link (energybenefit.wi.gov) via electronic media such as Facebook, Twitter, and/or the agency website, if feasible. 5) Agencies are required to ensure that persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful and equal access to benefits and services. The agency is required to provide spoken interpretation in addition to translated written publications as some individuals may not read English or other language. The agency must have a mechanism to communicate orally with people with LEP. Providing the Spanish version of the Home Energy Plus (HE+) Application is not fulfilling this policy requirement. If the applicant requires spoken communication and/or explanation in addition to the translated application, agencies shall ensure verbal interpretation is available. 6) Agencies are required to provide services to the disabled and impaired, including but not limited to assisting applicants with the completion of the application form, translation of material, interpretation services for deaf, and reading services for blind. 7) Agencies must establish HE+ application methods that are accessible to targeted households and process submitted Online Applications within a reasonable time. 8) Agencies must comply with Federal Law and provide an alternate intake method separate from a site which administers W-2/TANF. All agencies are compliant due to the implementation of Online Applications. 9) Agencies must provide assistance with the preparation and submittal of applications by persons who are homebound. 10) Agencies must arrange an early application period for persons in targeted groups and high-risk households. 11) Agencies are required to complete a Program Operations and Community Service Plan (POCS) Plan. The Division provided template is available on the HE+ Training & Technical Assistance website under WHEAP>Forms. Each agency is required to review their current Plan and update the date reviewed section on the Plan before the start of each program year. The goal of this plan is to provide agencies with a means to describe how the agency will conduct outreach, how they will identify and enroll eligible households in their communities and explain how the agency will reach targeted households. The POCS Plan should indicate what other community resources/stakeholders play a role in this outreach effort and identify key stakeholders that the agency coordinates efforts/referrals with. In addition, the list should indicate the local agency's contact person and the resource services provided. The plan must be made available to the Division upon request. 12) Agencies may establish interagency agreements with other low-income program offices to perform some of the outreach activities to targeted groups. *The Home Energy Plus videos are on the Home Energy Plus Training and Technical Website (HE+ TTA) under Administration > HE+ Videos. 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. There is no differentiation in the formula for calculating benefits however, funds are allocated specifically to allow for outreach to vulnerable households including those with elderly, disabled or young children as residents. These households are encouraged and assisted to apply for LIHEAP benefits. The benefit formula for the State of Wisconsin provides a 4:1 ratio for households with high energy burdens. Households with the highest energy burden and the lowest income receive the highest benefit. The State of Wisconsin rounds down the median income guidelines for determining income eligibility. In addition, there is an early application period targeted to households with fixed income (Social Security Benefits, Pensions, dividends/ interest income and/or Veteran’s Benefits) which allows them to apply in the summer months for the following Federal Fiscal Year. 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 $30 Maximum Benefit $2,147 2.7 Do you provide in-kind (e.g., blankets, space heaters) and/or other forms of benefits?2 Yes No If yes, describe. Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) agencies can provide additional services such as blankets, space heaters, weather stripping, LED's, etc. LIHEAP funds are used to provide these additional services. 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.