N.M. Admin. Code § 8.150.620.9 - CALCULATING THE BENEFIT/ASSIGNMENT OF POINTS
To determine the amount of the benefit for households with an energy cost, HCA assigns points for each following factors.
A. Energy costs points: Points are assigned
based on the energy burden at the household's current residence for households
that have a direct cost for heating or cooling expenses.
(1) Energy burden: Energy burden is "the
expenditures of the household for home energy divided by the income of the
household." Points are assigned to the household by determining the households'
percentage of energy burden. The point allocation for energy burden is:
(a) Zero points for zero to five percent
energy burden;
(b) One point for
six to ten percent energy burden;
(c) Two points for eleven to fifteen percent
energy burden; or
(d) Three points
for sixteen percent or more energy burden.
(2) Additional energy burden: If the
household's energy burden is for the use of propane, an additional two points
will be allocated.
(3) Receipt of
energy burden points: Certain households do not receive energy burden points:
(a) households whose utilities are included
in the rent; or
(b) households that
use wood to heat their home and do not purchase wood.
(4) Energy standard allowance (ESA): Each
year an ESA will be determined. The standard amount will be based on the fuel
and electricity standards calculated for the standard utility allowance (SUA)
used in the New Mexico supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). The
ESA may be used when the monthly utility costs provided by the applicant are:
a) less than the standard; or
b) the applicant has new service and costs
are not available.
B. Income points: HCA assigns income points
using the household's monthly total countable gross income and the household
size. The number of points is determined by identifying what percentage the
household's income is of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) for the LIHEAP
FFY. For example, if the total monthly income is sixty percent of the FPG, the
household will receive three income points. (See below.)
(1) Three points - income is zero to one
hundred percent of the FPG
(2) Two
points - income is one hundred to one hundred fifty percent of the
FPG
C. Vulnerable
population points: HCA assigns additional points for any household members in
the following vulnerable groups.
(1) Age 60
and over: Two points are assigned to eligible households based on the inclusion
of one or more household members age 60 or over as determined by birthdate
data.
(2) Age five and under: Two
points are assigned to eligible households based on the inclusion of one or
more household members age five and under as determined by birthdate
data.
(3) Disability: Two points
are assigned to eligible households having one or more members with a
disability. Disability is defined as physical or mental impairment resulting in
substantial reduction in the ability of an individual to care for themselves or
carry out normal activities. When one or more members receive disability based
income, the household is entitled to the points. A doctor's statement of
current disability will be required for assignment of the point for this factor
if the disabled member does not receive disability-based income.
Notes
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