Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse acf home privacy policy


 





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State FY 2004 Percent of Poverty Guidelines for LIHEAP Components

Note: The LIHEAP statute (Section 2605(b)(2)(b) of Public Law 97-35) established 150 percent of the poverty guidelines as a maximum income level allowed in determining LIHEAP eligibility, except where 60 percent of a state's median income is higher. Effective in FY 1995, income eligibility criteria for LIHEAP may not be set lower than 110 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, but priority may be given to households with the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. The federal government sets the poverty guidelines in March of every year and publishes them in the Federal Register. States may adopt the year's new guidelines at any time between the date of publication in the Federal Register and the first day of the next fiscal year or by the beginning of the grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later.

The Percent of Poverty Table compiled by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse shows the percent of federal poverty guidelines (FPG) or state's median income (SMI) to be used by states in determining eligibility for LIHEAP components in FY 2004. Although states can have a different poverty level for each component (crisis, cooling and weatherization) the majority use the same poverty level for all components.

State FY Heat Crisis Wx Comment
Alaska 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 60 SMI  
Alabama 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Arkansas 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Arizona 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
California 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
Colorado 2004 185 FPG 185 FPG 185 FPG  
Connecticut 2004 150 FPG, 200 FPG 150 FPG, 200 FPG
  		200 FPG if disabled or senior
Dist. of Columbia 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Delaware 2004 200 FPG 200 FPG 200 FPG  
Florida 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 125 FPG  
Georgia 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Hawaii 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG    
Iowa 2004 150 FPG* 150 FPG 150 FPG For households over 150% FPG, but less than 60% SMI, there is a special waiver process. They may be eligible if they can document un-reimbursed medical costs that are equal to the amount their income exceeds 150% FPG.
Idaho 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Illinois 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Indiana 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Kansas 2004 130 FPG 130 FPG 150 FPG  
Kentucky 2004 110 FPG 110 FPG 125 FPG  
Louisiana 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
Massachusetts 2004 200 FPG 200 FPG 200 FPG 150% FPG whenever 200% FPG exceeds 60% SMI
Maryland 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG A waiver may be allowed for applicants who are over income (up to 60% SMI) and have special needs such as high medical or healthcare costs.
Maine 2004 150 FPG 55 SMI 150 FPG 55 SMI 150 FPG 55 SMI 55% SMI if a household member is susceptible to hypothermia (elderly over 60, children under 2, or medical condition documented by a doctor)
Michigan 2004 110 FPG 60 SMI 150 FPG Crisis eligibility: less than 60% SMI or special medical problem
Minnesota 2004 50 SMI 50 SMI 50 SMI  
Missouri 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG    
Mississippi 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Montana 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
North Carolina 2004 110 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
North Dakota 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
Nebraska 2004 116 FPG 116 FPG 116 FPG  
New Hampshire 2004 47.5 SMI 47.5 SMI 175 FPG  
New Jersey 2004 175 FPG 175 FPG 175 FPG  
New Mexico 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Nevada 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG    
New York 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
Ohio 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
Oklahoma 2004 110 FPG 110 FPG 110 FPG Weatherization contractors may use 150% FPG for eligibility after list of LIHEAP clients provided by DHS has been exhausted in any county.
Oregon 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
Pennsylvania 2004 135 FPG 135 FPG 150 FPG  
Rhode Island 2004 60 SMI 60 SMI 60 SMI  
South Carolina 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
South Dakota 2004 160 FPG 160 FPG 160 FPG  
Tennessee 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Texas 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Utah 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG  
Virginia 2004 130 FPG 130 FPG 150 FPG  
Vermont 2004 125 FPG 150 FPG 60 SMI  
Washington 2004 125 FPG 125 FPG 125 FPG Wx: Additional clients can be served in a lower priority status when household income is between 125 FPG and 50 % of a county's area median income, but not to exceed 60 SMI
Wisconsin 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  
West Virginia 2004 130 FPG 130 FPG 150 FPG  
Wyoming 2004 150 FPG 150 FPG 150 FPG  

Source: FY 2004 State LIHEAP Plans and interviews with state directors in late 2003


2004 Federal Poverty Guidelines for a Family Size of Four

Poverty Level 100% 110% 125% 150% 175% 200%
48 contiguous states and D.C. $18,850 $20,735 $23,563 $28,275 $32,988 $37,700
Alaska $23,570 $25,927 $29,463 $35,355 $41,248 $47,140
Hawaii $21,680 $23,848 $27,100 $32,520 $37,940 $43,360

Page Last Updated: January 27, 2010