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State Percent of Poverty Guidelines for LIHEAP ComponentsNote: 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 February 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. For LIHEAP, the majority of states use the prior year guidelines until the first day of the next fiscal year in order to avoid changing guidelines in the middle of their program year. Most states start their new fiscal year October 1; however, a few states start theirs July 1 and those states, along with several that operate summer cooling programs, adopt the most recent guidelines in June or July. Tables showing the State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2007 LIHEAP Programs and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP Programs and HHS Poverty Guidelines for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2007 LIHEAP Programs and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP Programs. As noted above, these income levels are used by most states through September 2008. View a table of FY 2008 state eligibility guidelines. Table showing State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP Programs and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2009 LIHEAP Programs and HHS Poverty Guidelines for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP Programs and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2009 LIHEAP Programs. As noted above, some states will start using these guidelines in June or July of 2008. The state eligibility guidelines below link to these tables. The Percent of Poverty Table below, 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 2009. 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.
Source: FY 2008 State LIHEAP Plans and interviews with state directors in late 2007
Page Last Updated: July 31, 2008 |
