N.M. Admin. Code § 8.150.620.9

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 17, September 10, 2024

Section 8.150.620.9 - CALCULATING THE BENEFIT/ASSIGNMENT OF POINTS

To determine the amount of the benefit for households with an energy cost, HCA assigns points for each following factors.

A. Energy costs points: Points are assigned based on the energy burden at the household's current residence for households that have a direct cost for heating or cooling expenses.

(1) Energy burden: Energy burden is "the expenditures of the household for home energy divided by the income of the household." Points are assigned to the household by determining the households' percentage of energy burden. The point allocation for energy burden is:

(a) Zero points for zero to five percent energy burden;

(b) One point for six to ten percent energy burden;

(c) Two points for eleven to fifteen percent energy burden; or

(d) Three points for sixteen percent or more energy burden.

(2) Additional energy burden: If the household's energy burden is for the use of propane, an additional two points will be allocated.

(3) Receipt of energy burden points: Certain households do not receive energy burden points:

(a) households whose utilities are included in the rent; or

(b) households that use wood to heat their home and do not purchase wood.

(4) Energy standard allowance (ESA): Each year an ESA will be determined. The standard amount will be based on the fuel and electricity standards calculated for the standard utility allowance (SUA) used in the New Mexico supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). The ESA may be used when the monthly utility costs provided by the applicant are:

a) less than the standard; or

b) the applicant has new service and costs are not available.

B. Income points: HCA assigns income points using the household's monthly total countable gross income and the household size. The number of points is determined by identifying what percentage the household's income is of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) for the LIHEAP FFY. For example, if the total monthly income is sixty percent of the FPG, the household will receive three income points. (See below.)

(1) Three points - income is zero to one hundred percent of the FPG

(2) Two points - income is one hundred to one hundred fifty percent of the FPG

C. Vulnerable population points: HCA assigns additional points for any household members in the following vulnerable groups.

(1) Age 60 and over: Two points are assigned to eligible households based on the inclusion of one or more household members age 60 or over as determined by birthdate data.

(2) Age five and under: Two points are assigned to eligible households based on the inclusion of one or more household members age five and under as determined by birthdate data.

(3) Disability: Two points are assigned to eligible households having one or more members with a disability. Disability is defined as physical or mental impairment resulting in substantial reduction in the ability of an individual to care for themselves or carry out normal activities. When one or more members receive disability based income, the household is entitled to the points. A doctor's statement of current disability will be required for assignment of the point for this factor if the disabled member does not receive disability-based income.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.150.620.9

7-1-95, 11-1-95, 11-15-96, 10-1-97, 12-1-97, 10-1-00; 8.150.620.9 NMAC - Rn, 8 NMAC 22.LHP.621.1 & A, 10-1-01; A, 10-1-05; A, 10-01-06; A, 10-01-07, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 18, September 29, 2015, eff. 10/1/2015, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024