Subsidized and Rental Household Eligibility and Benefits

AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA
ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH
OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY

Alabama
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized with a utility allowance are eligible
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits

Alaska
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Same as regular, based on point system. Supplier may receive a portion and applicant remainder if heating is paid through rent and electricity paid directly.
Other		Special utility deposit program pays minimum amount needed to establish natural gas or electric service required to participate in subsidized rental housing (up to $500)

Arizona
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Same as regular, based on a point system
Other		Client is notified in writing of amount paid to landlord on their behalf.

Arkansas
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes

California
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Same as regular

Colorado
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		A flat amount is deducted from the benefit of a household with a utility allowance. The minimum benefit is what the majority of subsidized housing applicants receive.
Other		If heat is included in rent and the applicant is in a crisis situation, Colorado LIHEAP will issue an advance of the basic benefit.

Connecticut
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes, if household at 150% of poverty or less pays more than 30% of their income towards rent.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes, if household at 150% of poverty or less pays more than 30% of their income towards rent.
Benefits		If a subsidized renter is responsible for their primary heat source, they are eligible for the same benefits as any other household responsible for their own heat costs.

Delaware
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized Direct Pay households receive a flat benefit of $200 unless rent is greater than $380 per month, then the household receives a regular benefit. Income eligible renters with heat-in-rent receive a regular benefit based on the benefit chart for all other eligible households.

District of Columbia
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Benefit levels for renters with heat included in rent are 2/3 to 1/2 lower.
Other		Households whose heat is included in their rents receive individual checks.

Florida
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Subsidized households that pay any part of their energy costs (heating or cooling) are eligible.
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Benefits are reduced by the amount of any energy subsidy a household receives.

Georgia
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	No
Benefits		Households responsible for any part of their energy costs (heating or cooling) are eligible for assistance. However, the amount they are eligible for is reduced by the amount of any energy subsidy they receive. Direct pay households receive regular benefits, based on the household size and income.

Idaho
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Participants that live in subsidized housing, heat not included in rent, will receive the low base benefit, regardless of the household’s energy burden.

Illinois
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Benefit levels vary by household size, income level, and location. If energy costs are paid directly, fuel costs are also a factor.
Other		Subsidized households with heat included in rent are eligible if their lease contains a 'subject to surcharge' clause, if rent increases due to rising energy costs or if rent exceeds 30% of income. Renters with heat included in rent are eligible if rent exceeds 30% of income.

Indiana
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes*
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		*If a household’s subsidized rent payment includes the cost of the heat utility, the household’s EAP benefit is a maximum of $50. If a household’s subsidized rent payment includes the cost of the heat and electric utility the household’s EAP benefit is $0. If the electric is paid separate, by the client, the $50 benefit goes directly to the utility. Renters with heat included in rent receive reduced regular benefits based on a point system.

Iowa
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Benefits are based on a point system, subsidized housing and heat included in rent receive fewer points.
Other		Direct payments are made to eligible clients whose heat is included in their rent, but do not live in subsidized housing.

Kansas
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized household that pays for energy cost directly receives a regular benefit, utility allowance is not taken into account.

Kentucky
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Residents of subsidized housing will have benefits based on their reduced energy burden. Benefits depend on poverty level and fuel type: 0 - 33% POP, $35 max; 34 - 65%, $63 max; 66-98%, $81 max; 99-130%, $83.0 - 74% of poverty, $50 max; 75 - 110% of poverty, $75 max. Crisis: The same methods will apply as with all other consumers, the minimum amount necessary to alleviate the household´s home heating crisis will be determined. The consumers that receive a utility allowance payment must utilize the allowance first, but will not be denied if that amount has already been utilized for heating costs.

Louisiana
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Public housing residents and tenants who are responsible for a portion of their energy costs shall receive a benefit amount of $50. Energy costs and rent must be shown separately on documentation. Public housing residents and tenants who are responsible for “excess energy costs” shall received a benefit amount of $50 only if “excess energy costs” are documented.

Maine
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes*
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		*Subsidized household with heat included in rent receive a one-time benefit not to exceed $5 for the period beginning PY 2005/06 and ending 9/30/2011. Subsidized household that pays heat directly, utility allowance is subtracted from heating costs.
Other		The $5 benefit policy was instituted in order to allow Food Stamp recipients to claim standard utility allowance and get a higher FS benefit.

Maryland
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized renters with heat not included are eligible for minimum benefit level by fuel type at 101-150% of poverty category. Roomers and boarders receive Level III grant (101-150% FPG) by fuel type.

Massachusetts
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Renters who pay the full cost of their heat: non-subsidized housing renters and renters with a state housing subsidy are eligible for a full benefit. Renters with a federal housing subsidy are eligible for a full benefit if their rent is more than 30% of their LIHEAP monthly income. If the rent is 30% or less than LIHEAP monthly income, the renter is eligible for a subsidized benefit. Renters with the cost of heat included in the rent: non-subsidized housing renters and renters with a state housing subsidy are eligible for a full benefit, however payments cannot exceed 30% of the rent. If the rent is 30% or less than LIHEAP monthly income, the renter is not eligible for assistance.

Michigan
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Renters with heat included in rent receive 50% of regular benefit. Do not differentiate between subsidized and nonsubsidized housing residents.

Minnesota
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes*
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		*Residents of subsidized housing who are responsible for their heating costs are eligible for grants based on their consumption. Residents of subsidized housing who are responsible for electric costs only are eligible for flat grant of $100 which will be paid to their electric vendor. Residents of subsidized housing who pay neither heat nor electric costs to a vendor are not eligible to receive an Energy Assistance Benefit.

Mississippi
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits

Missouri
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized households with heat included in rent are eligible if energy costs are greater than the utility allowance.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Standard benefits except nonsubsidized renters with heat included in rent receive a payment equal to 8% of their annual rent cost or the amount they would receive as a homeowner, whichever is less.

Montana
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Residents of publicly subsidized housing whose heating costs are included as a portion of their rent and whose rent is a fixed portion of their income are not eligible for low income energy assistance benefits.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		For nonsubsidized renters with heat included in rent, eligible energy costs must be supported by rent receipts. Payments will not exceed 50% of the amount of rent paid per the receipt.

Nebraska
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized households with utilities included may be eligible for crisis or cooling
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Renters with utilities included are usually multi-house dwellings, benefits are 50% of single dwellings.
Other		All households would not be eligible for crisis or cooling unless charged for excess electricity. The household would have to meet the cooling eligibility criteria. Roomers and room with board are not eligible.

Nevada
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		The following rules pertain to master metered households: 1) If all utilities are in the landlord's name and are included in the rent AND the household does not receive a separate bill that includes consumption and dollar usage AND the household does not reside in subsidized housing, they will receive a payment of $180. 2) If all utilities are in the landlord's name and are included in the rent, BUT the household receives a separate bill that includes consumption and dollar usage, the household is eligible for a fixed annual credit or $180. 3) If one of the utilities is in the landlord's name and one is in the household's name, the household will receive a fixed annual credit based on the utility in the household's name payable to the household's utility; UNLESS, the household receives a separate bill from the landlord that includes consumption and dollar usage in which case the household receives a fixed annual credit based on both utilities that is payable to the household's utility not to exceed the annual usage, and the remainder payable to the household
Other		Master metered households: If all utilities are in the landlord's name and are included in the rent AND the household does not receive a separate bill that includes consumption and dollar usage, the household is ineligible for energy assistance.

New Hampshire
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized households that direct pay are eligible if energy costs are over $100 after the utility allowance is deducted. Voucher recipients are treated as regular rentals. Benefits are based on annual energy costs.

New Jersey
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized households that pay energy costs directly receive regular benefits.
Other		Room and board are eligible if energy costs are included in rent or paid directly.

New Mexico
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Regular benefits are based on points for income, fuel type, burden and vulnerable members. Eligible households with utilities included in rent receive a benefit based on income and vulnerable population points only.
Other		Subsidized with utility allowance are eligible if they have an additional out-of-pocket expense for utilities.

New York
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		For renters who pay for heat as a portion of monthly rent, benefit is a fixed dollar amount ($40 or $50) based on income tier. Direct pay renters benefit is based on income, vulnerable member and energy burden ratio.
Other		Individuals paying room only or room and board are not eligible.

North Carolina
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	A household with subsidized rent and with heat included in rent would be eligible if they paid an excess for heating costs in the last 12 months.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Same as regular benefits. A household with subsidized rent and with heat included in rent would be eligible if they paid an excess for heating costs in the last 12 months.

North Dakota
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Renter benefits are computed by subtracting the household's affordable heat cost from the cost/consumption tables or 25% of the annual rent cost, whichever is lower, the result is divided by 8 for a monthly benefit amount and multiplied by the number of eligible months. If the household's heat is included in the rent (and there is no rent subsidy), will receive one or more monthly payments from the State. If the monthly renter benefit is less than $5.00 a month, the household will receive at least a $50.00 lump sum for the season regardless of what the payment would have been monthly. Benefits for those renters who rent "sleeping rooms" only are based on one-fourth of the cost/consumption tables for a one bedroom living unit in a single detached house, not to exceed 25% of annual rent costs. If the Renter/Heat Paid household's heat share equals or is greater than the estimated cost of heat, or the LIHEAP Share percentage equals 5%, a one-time lump sum payment of $50.00 will automatically be issued to the household.
Other		A cost/consumption table is based on average usage or consumption for various sizes of living units, types of buildings, and fuel types that have been multiplied times the estimated or projected actual fuel cost.

Ohio
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized Housing and Electric Benefits for summer crisis – In order for a customer, who lives in subsidized housing to receive an electric benefit, the electric bill must be in the customer’s name. A customer who lives in subsidized housing can receive summer crisis assistance even if they receive a utility allowance.
Other		Subsidized households that are master-metered are not eligible for HEAP benefits. Households which supply their own primary heating source (i.e., own gas well, cut own wood) and rooming houses are not eligible.

Oklahoma
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized with heat included in rent are not eligible unless they are assessed a surcharge.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		2006 benefits: $57 minimum and $157 maximum for renter with heat included; $37 minimum and $43 maximum for roomer.

Oregon
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized with heat included in rent are not eligible unless rent varies because of utility costs.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes, must have a statement from the landlord.
Benefits		Subsidized direct-pay households are eligible for one-half of a regular benefit. Crisis payment is for exact amount of crisis, not to exceed the maximum allowable.

Pennsylvania
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized-housing tenants are ineligible if their rental charge includes an undesignated amount for heat and is based on a fixed percentage of their income or on their source of income.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Renters are ineligible if their rental charge includes an undesignated amount for heat and is based on a fixed percentage of their income or on their source of income.
Benefits
Other		Residents of boarding houses are not eligible.

Rhode Island
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Any subsidized renter who is responsible directly to their energy vendor for the dwellings heating costs are eligible for a maximum primary grant. Non-Subsidized renters whose heat and electric is included in their rent receive a flat grant benefit made payable to the applicant. Subsidized renter whose primary heat is included in their rent but are responsible to pay their secondary electric bill are eligible for a minimum grant.

South Carolina
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized households with heat included in rent, subsidized with utility allowance, and households whose rent is adjusted based on income and heat is included in rent receive 50% of regular benefit.

South Dakota
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized direct-pay households receive regular benefits based on costs. Landlord/LIEAP Agreement for renters with heat included in rent - landlord agrees to reduce rent by 30% each month and bill LIEAP until benefit is exhausted or it's the end of the heating season. If landlord charges rent plus heat, the heat bill is submitted to LIEAP.

Tennessee
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	If subsidized households with heat included in rent are subject to overage, they can receive payments up to the maximum.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Same as regular benefit.

Texas
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Subsidized direct-pay household benefits are based on heating or cooling costs minus any utility allowance.
Other		Landlords of renters with heat included in rent must furnish proof that the bill has been paid and that amount of assistance must be deducted from the rent. Master-metered households need an agreement with the landlord regarding what percent of rent goes toward utilities.

Utah
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Rent must include a charge for heat
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Roomers or boarders who pay energy costs as part of their rent must use 10% of their monthly rent amount to determine their monthly energy cost.

Vermont
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Rentals with heat included receive 30% of average energy costs or $50 (whichever is greater); roomers/boarders receive a flat $50 benefit; subsidized with heat included in rent receive a $5 benefit.

Virginia
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		Payments are made directly to the household when heat/cooling is included in the rent.
Other		Roomers are not eligible. Subsidized households responsible for excess usage charges only are not eligible.

Washington
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits		No differentiation between subsidized and nonsubsidized renters.

West Virginia
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Subsidized households with heat included in rent and subsidized receiving a utility allowance are ineligible except when surcharges must be paid for additional usage beyond a certain maximum.
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits

Wisconsin
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	No
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits
Other		If eligible households are unable to document heating costs, for example when heat is included in rent, an estimate is provided based on actual fuel costs, for fuel type and dwelling type and size.

Wyoming
Eligibility
	Subsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
	Subsidized direct pay	Yes
	Nonsubsidized with heat included in rent	Yes
Benefits

Source: FY 2007 and FY 2008 state plans and manuals and state LIHEAP directors

Page Last Updated: April 9, 2008