Acronyms and Definitions

AEO – Arkansas Energy Office within the Division of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment.

Application – A written request for Low Income Home Energy Assistance on a long-form LIHEAP application (AEO-9495) or abbreviated application (AEO-2096) by an applicant, a responsible member of the household or an authorized representative.

Approval – The decision to grant LIHEAP benefits as requested on an application. This is indicated on the Notice of Action mailed to the applicant.

Authorized Representative – A person whom the head of the household has designated to act on behalf of the household to make an application for assistance.

Boarder – An individual to whom a household furnishes lodging and meals for compensation. Members of the household who contribute toward expenses are not considered boarders.

Categorical Eligibility – Eligibility for LIHEAP benefits based on the fact that at least one person in the household receives assistance under any of the following programs: TANF, SNAP, SSI, “certain means tested veteran’s programs,” or child welfare services, regardless of the household’s current income.

Crisis Assistance – Crisis assistance benefits are available for eligible households to resolve home energy related emergency or crisis situations. Including Delayed Payment Arrangement (DPA), past due, shut-off, and disconnections. Crisis assistance is available during designated application periods.

Days – Any reference to day(s) is defined as calendar days unless otherwise specified.
DHS – Arkansas Department of Human Services.

Earned Income – Wages, salaries, tips, odd jobs and net earnings from self-employment such as farming or operating a business.

Elderly – Applicants for Regular and Crisis assistance programs are considered to be elderly if they are age sixty (60) years or older (including persons who became age sixty (60) in the month of application) unless otherwise specified.

Eligible Household – Household with income at or below the maximum for the household size and countable resources at or below the resource limit meeting the eligibility requirement of residency and any other applicable eligibility requirements.

Energy Buren-The amount due on your utility bill.

Exempt/Exemption – Funds received by a household that are not counted as income in determining eligibility for LIHEAP benefits.

Fraud – Intentional, unlawful acquisition of benefits by perpetrating wrongful acts that affects a government program and/or operation.

Gross Monthly Income – All earned income (before any deductions) plus all unearned income.

Home Energy – Electricity, oil, gas, coal, wood, kerosene, or any other fuel or energy source (excluding water) used for heating or cooling in a residential dwelling. Utility Accounts in the name of a business CANNOT be considered for payment.

Household – Any individual or group of individuals who share a meter or are living together as one economic unit for whom residential energy is customarily purchased in common or who make payments for energy in the form of rent.

Individuals with Disabilities (IWD) – Individuals with a disability or disabilities that substantially limit one or more major life activities, have a record of such a disability, or are regarded as having such a disability and who receive disability benefits.

“Life-Threatening” Situation – A situation that causes harm to someone’s health or to become susceptible to harm if the power is off.

Monthly Countable Income (MCI) – Gross, non-exempt earned income minus the twenty percent (20%) earned income deduction plus 100% of countable unearned income. It is the income figure used to determine eligibility and amount of assistance.

Notice of Action –An official form sent to the applicant to request required documentation or information to support your claim. The applicant has 15 business days to provide the information. If the information is not received in 15 business days the application will be denied

Obligation – An agreement that has been obtained from the energy supplier guaranteeing that the household’s services will be continued, restored, or delivered in return for payment within the policy timeframes on the household’s behalf.

Pledge – An agreed upon amount to be paid to an energy supplier on behalf of a household. This is considered as a “Promise to Pay”.

Potential Eligibility – Households that are flagged for possible eligibility due to their enrollment in another “means-tested” program such as TANF, SNAP, or SSI. Their eligibility for LIHEAP benefits is based on the household’s income and size.

Poverty Guidelines – Federal poverty guidelines are issued each year in the Federal Register by the Department of Health and Human Services for use in determining financial eligibility for certain federal programs. LIHEAP uses a percentage of the federal income amounts to determine eligibility.

Cold Weather Rule - Electric and gas utilities may not suspend residential service on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts that a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower will occur at any time during the following 24-hour period. The utility must obtain the most current forecast for the customer's weather zone from the National Weather Service reports on the morning of the day that the customer's shut-off is scheduled.

Hot Weather Protection – An electric or gas utility shall not suspend residential service to an elderly or handicapped customer on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts that a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will occur at any time during the following 24-hour period. For gas utilities, hot weather protection shall be limited to elderly or handicapped air conditioning customers only.

Regular Assistance – Assistance benefit available for households that meet the LIHEAP eligibility criteria with the amount of assistance determined by (1) household income and (2) household size.

Roomer – An individual to whom a household furnishes lodging, but not meals, for compensation.

SSI Benefits – Supplemental Security Income benefits paid to disabled adults and children who have limited income and also to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, including mandatory and optional payments that are administered by a State under Subpart T of 20 CFR 416 to supplement benefits.

Unearned Income – Income that is not from wages, salaries, or earnings from self-employment. Examples are Social Security, SSI, retirement, and veteran’s benefits.

Verification – The use of third-party information or documentation to establish the accuracy or inaccuracy of information provided by the applicant.

Young Child – A child aged 5 or younger.