99-346-24 Me. Code R. § 4

Current through 2024-50, December 11, 2024

Section 346-24-4 - Benefit Determination

Benefits are determined to ensure that the highest level of assistance will be furnished to Eligible Households which have the lowest incomes and the highest Energy Costs or needs. Benefit availability is based on HEAP funding availability.

A. MaineHousing, or the Subgrantee as allowed by MaineHousing, will assign a number of points to an Eligible Household that correlates to their Energy Costs. The number of points will be adjusted by an assigned percentage that correlates to the Eligible Household's poverty level and prorated based on any ineligible Household Members. The adjusted number of points will then be multiplied by a dollar value.

MaineHousing will announce the actual dollar value of points no later than the fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of the federal HEAP grant award.

The number of points assigned to an Eligible Household will be determined pursuant to the following:

Dwelling Type	Points
Stick-built/Modular	9
Mobile/Manufactured	8
Condo/Duplex	6
Apartment	6

Residing County	Points
Aroostook	7
Somerset	6
Franklin	6
Piscataquis	6
Oxford	5
Penobscot	5
Androscoggin	4
Hancock	4
Waldo	3
Cumberland	3
Lincoln	3
Knox	3
York	3
Washington	2
Kennebec	2
Sagadahoc	2

Fuel Type	Points
Electricity	14
LP Gas	10
Kerosene	8
Oil	7
Bio-Fuel	6
Coal	5
Wood Pellets	5
Corn	5
Natural Gas	5
Wood	4
Heating Subsidized	-9

Priority Determination	Points
60+, Disabled or child 6 and under	5
or
Child 7-17	3

Poverty Level as Calculated under the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG)	Percentage of Points
0%-25%	130%
26%-50%	120%
51%-75%	110%
76%-100%	100%
101%-125%	90%
126%-150%	80%
>than 150% FPIG but not exceeding the maximum of the greater of 150% FPIG or 60% state median income	70%
Calculated poverty level amounts falling between brackets will be rounded to the next higher or lower amount. For example: income at 75.1% will be rounded to 75%; income at 100.6% will be rounded to 101%.

All final point results that are fractional will be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

B. TANF Fuel Supplemental Benefits are determined each Program Year by MaineHousing based on the projected number of Households eligible for TANF Fuel Supplemental Benefits and available funding.

C. Tenants residing in Subsidized Housing with heat included in their rent, who pay a portion of their rent or utility costs, are only eligible to receive a Benefit in an amount to maximize benefits under SNAP.

99-346 C.M.R. ch. 24, § 4