Texas Register, Volume 9, Number 31, Pages 2283-2340, April 24, 1984 Page: 2,295
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TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND
ASSISTANCE
Part I. Texas Department of
Human Resources
Chapter 8. HEAP
HEAP Cooling Program
40 TAC 8.3502
The Texas Department of Human Resources proposes
to amend 8.3502, concerning cooling assistance in
the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The ba-
sis for each year's income limits is being changed. The
rule currently states that a household's income may
not exceed 75% of the Bureau of Labor Statistics'
lower living standard in effect at the time of eligibility
determination. Because the bureau no longer publishes
an annual index, the department is proposing that the
1981 Bureau of Labor Statistics' lower living standard
be updated by the October 1981 through October
1982 percentage increase in the Consumer Price In-
dex for Houston The gross monthly income limits for
the fiscal year 1984 program are:Household Size
1
2
3
4
5
6Income
$ 355.49
581.49
789.49
985.49
1,162.49
1,359.49Participants in the 1984 winter phase of HEAP who
continue to meet the income guidelines will be paid
automatically if the household's status has not
changed since December 31, 1983. The following per-
sons will receive a questionnaire to determine their
eligibility for cooling assistance Adults (age 18 or
older) who are included in the department's computer
files as of May 31, 1984, to receive Aid to Families
with Dependent Children (AFDC), food stamps, or
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in June;
Veterans Administration (VA) needs-tested clients
whose income meets the HEAP program guidelines.
These persons must complete and return the question-
naire to the department. The department uses the
questionnaire to establish the household's composi-
tion and its vulnerability to increases in energy costs.
To ensure that all potentially eligible households have
an adequate opportunity to apply for assistance, a sec-
ond questionnaire will be mailed to persons who do
not return the original form about one month after the
cut off for returning the onginal questionnaire In most
instances, benefits will be paid directly to eligible
households
In response to public concerns that benefits are not
always spent for energy costs, the department plans
to test a vendor payment system this summer House-
holds that return the second questionnaire showing
an identifiable electric utility supplier will receive a
warrant made payable to that company rather than
to a member of the household. Illustration: Lighting& Power Company for John Doe, Street Address, City,
State, Zip Code.
Recipients of these warrants should send their HEAP
check to their electric company when they pay their
monthly bill. The department will consider the results
of the pilot to determine if a cost-effective method of
operation can be implemented statewide during the
fiscal year 1985 program.
David Hawes, prografns budget and statistics direc
tor, has determined that there will be no fiscal impli-
cations for state or local governments or small busi-
nesses as a result of enforcing or administering the
rule.
Mr. Hawes also has determined that for each year of
the first five years the rule as proposed is in effect the
public benefit is assistance to low-income households
in meeting the increased cost of energy for their
homes. There is no anticipated economic cost to in-
dividuals who are required to comply with the rule as
proposed.
Comments are invited and may be sent to Cathy Ross-
berg, Acting Administrator, Policy Development Sup-
port Division-249, P.O Box 2960, Austin, Texas
78769.
The amendment is proposed under the Human Re-
sources Code, Title 2, Chapter 22, which authorizes
the department to administer public assistance
programs.
8.3502. Income. For HEAP cooling assistance, the
household s income is its gross income (without any
deductions) as determined by the household's AFDC,
food stamp, SSI, or Veterans Administration worker To
meet the income requirement, a household's income may
not exceed 75% of the Bureau of Labor Statistics lower
living standard as updated by the October 1981 to Oc-
tober 1982 percentage change in the Consumer Price In-
dex for Houston (in effect at the time of eligibility
determination]
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has
been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within
the agency's authority to adopt
Issued in Austin, Texas, on April 17, 1984TRD-844328
Marlin W Johnston
Commissioner
Texas Department of
Human ResourcesEarliest possible date of adoption
May 25, 1984
For further information, please call (512) 441-3355, .
ext. 2037.Chapter 15. Medicaid Eligibility
Subchapter GG. Resources for
Individuals Related to the SSI Program
The Texas Department of Human Resources proposes
to repeal, add, and amend its Medicaid eligibility rules.9 TexReg 2295
Proposed
RulesI _
April 24, 1984
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Texas. Secretary of State. Texas Register, Volume 9, Number 31, Pages 2283-2340, April 24, 1984, periodical, April 24, 1984; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth243584/m1/13/?rotate=90: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.