1. (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:

   1. (a) reduce the maximum benefit amounts of the benefit award matrices;
   2. (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
   3. (c) deny all subsequent applications.

2. (2) If additional funds become available to serve eligible households, the department may, at its option, take any or all of the following steps:

   1. (a) increase the maximum benefit amounts of the benefit award matrices;
   2. (b) extend the duration of the current heating season beyond April 30;
   3. (c) increase the maximum income standards for eligibility, if permitted by federal law;
   4. (d) allow LIHEAP attributable credit balances in excess of $250 to remain on recipients’ accounts through the end of the heating season. Credits in excess of the maximum must be returned to the department; or
   5. (e) extend the deadline to submit paid receipts to correspond with the end of the heating season.

Authorizing statute(s): 53-2-201, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 53-2-201, MCA

History: 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. 9/24/22; AMD, 2026 MAR, Notice No. 2026-532, Eff. 5/23/26.