37.70.608    ADJUSTMENT OF PAYMENTS TO AVAILABLE FUNDS

(1) When funds are not available to serve all eligible households, the department may, at its option, take any or all of the following steps:

(a) reduce the maximum benefit amounts of the benefit award matrices;

(b) limit eligibility to only financially needy households with a member 60 years of age or older, or with a member who is disabled and receiving supplemental security income or social security income based on permanent and total disability; or

(c) deny all subsequent applications.

(2) If additional funds become available to serve eligible households, the department may, at its option, take any or all of the following steps:

(a) increase the maximum benefit amounts of the benefit award matrices;

(b) extend the duration of the current heating season beyond April 30;

(c) increase the maximum income standards for eligibility, if permitted by federal law;

(d)  allow LIHEAP attributable credit balances to remain on the recipients' accounts through the end of the 2022-2023 heating season. Any credit LIHEAP attributable credit balance in excess of $500 needs to be returned to the department by August 31, 2023; or

(e)  extend the deadline to submit paid receipts to correspond with the end of the heating season.

 

History: 53-2-201, MCA; IMP, 53-2-201, MCA; NEW, 1982 MAR p. 732, Eff. 4/16/82; AMD, 1983 MAR p. 1362, Eff. 9/30/83; TRANS, from SRS, 1998 MAR p. 2059; AMD, 2002 MAR p. 3635, Eff. 11/28/02; AMD, 2005 MAR p. 1786, Eff. 9/23/05; AMD, 2022 MAR p. 1879, Eff. 9/24/22.