ARM 37.70.601. BENEFIT AWARD

(1) The department adopts and incorporates by reference the department's LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix and Table of Multipliers, for the 2025-2026 heating season. The LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix is located at https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/energyassistance/ or a copy may be obtained from the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Human and Community Services Division, 1400 Carter Drive, P.O. Box 202956, Helena, MT 59620. These matrices are used to establish the benefit payable to an eligible household for a full heating season. The 2025-2026 benefit matrix will be used for the 2025-2026 heating season. The benefit varies by: (a) household income level; (b) type of primary heating fuel; (c) the type of dwelling: single family unit, multi-family unit, nontraditional dwelling unit, and mobile home; (d) the number of bedrooms in the dwelling; (e) the heating district in which the household is located, to account for climatic differences across the state; (f) verification of the identities and citizenship or qualified alien status of those residing in the household; and (g) the household's resources. (2) The benefit payable to an eligible household will be computed by multiplying the applicable amount in the table of base benefit levels found in the LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix by the applicable matrix amount in the table of income/climatic adjustment multipliers found in the LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix. (3) Publicly subsidized households whose energy costs are included as a fixed portion of their rent, or who reside in publicly subsidized housing and have an out-of-pocket obligation to pay a base-load electric bill, are not eligible for a regular LIHEAP benefit computed using the benefit matrices and multipliers in the LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix and Table of Multipliers. However, these households may be eligible for a modified LIHEAP benefit. The modified LIHEAP benefit is equal to five percent of the regular LIHEAP benefit computed using the benefit matrices and multipliers in the LIHEAP Benefit Award Matrix and Table of Multipliers, or a minimum payment of $25, whichever is greater, paid annually. Households determined eligible for the modified LIHEAP benefit whose economic and housing situation does not change are eligible for a period of five years.