Rule 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.Mont. Admin. r. 37.70.608
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. 9/24/2022AUTH: 53-2-201, MCA; IMP: 53-2-201, MCA