Section 7 AAC 44.340 - Amount of assistance(a) The department has assigned heating cost points to each community in the state, based upon the community's annual fuel cost and climatic conditions. These points are listed in Appendix A at the end of this chapter.(b) If the household uses natural gas and another fuel type for heat, the department will use the community heating cost points for natural gas in Appendix A.(c) If the household uses self-harvested wood or coal for heat, the department will use the community heating cost points for oil in Appendix A multiplied by 0.5.(d) If the household uses purchased wood or coal for heat, the department will use the community heating cost points for oil in Appendix A multiplied by 0.8.(e) If the household uses purchased wood pellets for heat, the department will use the community heating cost points for oil in Appendix A multiplied by 0.9.(f) If a household uses electricity, steam, hot water, or propane for heat, the department will use the community heating cost points for oil in Appendix A.(g) The department will multiply the community heating cost points determined under (a) - (f) of this section by the first one of the following factors that describes the household's dwelling. If more than one factor applies, the department will use the factor listed first: (1) the factor of 1.4 if the household resides in a mobile home or boat with heated living space of 980 square feet or more;(2) the factor of 0.4 if the household resides in a recreational vehicle, tent, or pickup camper;(3) the factor of 0.15 if the household resides in a one-room dwelling such as a studio apartment, hotel, or boarding home;(4) the factor of 0.35 if the household resides on a boat with less than 980 square feet of heated living space;(5) the factor of 0.55 if the household resides in a one-bedroom dwelling, or a one-room house or cabin without bedrooms;(6) the factor of 1.3 if the household resides in a three-or-more-bedroom single family, duplex, or triplex home;(7) the factor of 0.7 if the household resides in a two-bedroom unit in an apartment building of four or more attached units, or resides in a mobile home with less than 980 square feet of heated living space regardless of the number of bedrooms;(8) the factor of 1.0 if the household resides in a two-bedroom single-family home.(h) If the household resides in a single dwelling with one or more other households, the heating cost points determined under (a) - (g) of this section are reduced to the household's proportionate share of the home heating expenses.(i) The department will assign each household the following percentage of heating cost points determined under (a) - (h) of this section, based on the household's gross monthly income and family size, expressed as a percentage of the Alaska poverty level: (1) 40 percent of points if the household's gross monthly income is more than 150 percent of the Alaska poverty level but no more than 175 percent of the Alaska poverty level;(2) 30 percent of points if the household's gross monthly income is more than 175 percent but no more than 200 percent of the Alaska poverty level;(3) 20 percent of points if the household's gross monthly income is more than 200 percent but no more than 225 percent of the Alaska poverty level;(4) 10 percent of points if the household's gross monthly income is more than 225 percent, but no more than 250 percent of the Alaska poverty level; a household that has a gross monthly income of more than 225 percent, but no more than 250 percent of the Alaska poverty level is only eligible under this paragraph if the average price of oil under AS 47.25.623(c) is more than $150 a barrel.(j) If the household's gross monthly income exceeds the maximum allowable Alaska poverty level, the household is not eligible for assistance under 7 AAC 44.200 - 7 AAC 44.350.(k) The department will add one point to the heating cost points determined under (a) - (i) of this section if the household includes one or more members 60 years of age or older, legally disabled, or under six years of age.(l) The department will reduce the heating cost points determined under (a) - (k) of this section by 50 percent, regardless of the amount of the utility allowance for heat, if a household(1) resides in in any type of subsidized housing;(2) is responsible for paying all or a portion of the household's heating costs directly to a vendor; and (3) receives a utility allowance as part of the household's housing cost calculation.(m) A household with heating cost points determined under (a) - (l) of this section to be less than 2.0 is not eligible for assistance under 7 AAC 44.200 - 7 AAC 44.350. (n) The department will round the total heating cost points computed in (a) - (l) of this section to the nearest whole number and multiply by the benefit rate to determine the amount of the household heating assistance. The department will establish the benefit rate annually based upon (1) anticipated state money available for heating assistance;(2) the anticipated number of households to be served in this state;(3) anticipated total household heating costs points calculated in accordance with this section; and(4) dollar values per point as set out in AS 47.25.623(c).(o) The total heating cost points determined under (n) of this section may not exceed 35 points.(p) If the household meets the conditions set out in this subsection, the department may reduce the amount of heating assistance available under (n) and (o) of this section by the amount of the unpaid balance that the household owes the department for previously awarded heating assistance to which the household was not entitled. The department will use this method of recoupment of overpayments only if the household has not responded to the department's request for repayment or the household defaults on its repayment agreement.(q) Notwithstanding (a) - (p) of this section, heating assistance is subject to the availability of state money appropriated each year. If insufficient money is appropriated, each applicant that is a household with a gross monthly income that is no more than 225 percent of the Alaska poverty level will be served on a first-come, first-served basis subject to the availability of money for benefits. If the department determines, after the close of the application period set out in 7 AAC 44.210( c ), that available money exceeds the total amount that can be expended, the department may distribute all or part of the surplus on a pro rata basis to households that have been determined eligible to receive assistance under this section.Eff. 8/12/2008, Register 187; am 11/22/2008, Register 188; am 10/1/2009, Register 191; am 10/1/2010, Register 195; am 11/5/2011, Register 200; am 12/27/2017,Register 224, January 2018Authority:AS 47.05.010
AS 47.25.622
AS 47.25.624
AS 47.25.625