Note: The LIHEAP statute (Section 2605(b)(2)(b) of Public Law 97- 35) established 150 percent of the poverty guidelines(FPG) as a maximum income level allowed in determining LIHEAP eligibility, except where 60 percent of a state's median income (SMI) is higher. Effective in FY 1995, income eligibility criteria for LIHEAP may not be set lower than 110 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, but priority may be given to households with the highest energy costs or needs in relation to income. The federal government sets the poverty guidelines in February of every year and publishes them in the Federal Register.
States may adopt the year's new guidelines at any time between the date of publication in the Federal Register and the first day of the next fiscal year or by the beginning of the grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later. For LIHEAP, the majority of states use the prior year guidelines until the first day of the next fiscal year in order to avoid changing guidelines in the middle of their program year. Most states start their new fiscal year October 1; however, a few states start theirs July 1 and those states, along with several that operate summer cooling programs, adopt the most recent guidelines in June or July.
Tables: As noted above, these income levels are used by most states through September 2015.
- LIHEAP IM 2014-6 HHS Poverty Guidelines for Optional Use in FY 2014 and Mandatory Use in FY 2015
- LIHEAP IM 2014-05 State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in FY 2014 and Mandatory Use in FY 2015
The Percent of Poverty Table below shows the percent of federal poverty guidelines (FPG) or state's median income (SMI) used by states in determining eligibility for LIHEAP components in FY 2015. Although states can have a different poverty level for each component (crisis, cooling and weatherization) the majority use the same poverty level for all components.
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State Heat Crisis Wx Comment
Households with one to six members use 60 SMI and households with seven or more members use 150 FPG. Heating and crisis: 110 FPG for household size 14 and above; wx: 200 FPG for household size more than 1 150 FPG for households with 7 or more members
150 FPG for household size greater than 10 Source: FY 2015 State LIHEAP Plans
2014/2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines for a Family Size of Four
Poverty Level 100% 110% 125% 150% 175% 200% 48 contiguous states and D.C. $23,850 $26,235 $29,813 $35,775 $41,738 $47,700 Alaska $29,820 $32,802 $37,275 $44,730 $52,185 $59,640 Hawaii $27,430 $30,173 $34,288 $41,145 $48,003 $54,860
