Skip ACF banner and navigation
Department of Health and Human Services logo
Questions?  
Privacy  
Site Index  
Contact Us  
   Home   |   Services   |   Working with ACF   |   Policy/Planning   |   About ACF   |   ACF News Search  
Administration for Children and Families US Department of Health and Human Services

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Division of Energy Assistance/OCS/ACF

State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2003 LIHEAP Programs and Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2004 LIHEAP Programs


To LIHEAP Home Page | To LIHEAP Memoranda/Transmittals Page


THIS CONTAINS INFORMATION ISSUED BY THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION FOR
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN LIHEAP INFORMATION MEMORANDUM TRANSMITTAL
NO. LIHEAP-IM-2003-10, DATED 4/15/03

TO:           LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
              GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

SUBJECT:      State Median Income Estimates for Optional Use in
              Federal Fiscal Year 2003 LIHEAP Programs and
              Mandatory Use in Federal Fiscal Year 2004 LIHEAP
              Programs

RELATED       Public Law 97-35, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
REFERENCES:   Act of 1981, as amended; 45 Code of Federal
              Regulations, Part 96; FSA-IM-88-9

PURPOSE:      The purpose of this memorandum is to inform LIHEAP
              grantees of state median income estimates for Federal
              Fiscal Year (FFY) 2004.

BACKGROUND:   Section 2605(b)(2)(B) of Public Law 97-35 establishes
              60 percent of a state's median income as the maximum
              income allowed in determining eligibility for LIHEAP,
              except in states where 150 percent of the poverty
              income guidelines is higher. The Secretary has
              published for use in FFY 2004 each state's median
              income figure, as estimated by the Bureau of the
              Census.

              LIHEAP grantees may adopt the FFY 2004 state median
              income estimates at any time between the date of
              publication in the Federal Register and the first day
              of FFY 2004 (October 1, 2003).  LIHEAP grantees must
              by October 1, 2003 (the beginning of FFY 2004), or by
              the beginning of a grantee's fiscal year, whichever
              is later, adjust their income eligibility criteria so
              that they are in accord with these estimates.

              Attachment A lists 100 percent and 60 percent of
              state median income for a family of four, as
              published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, April
              15, 2003 (68 FR 18230-18232).  Attachment B lists 60
              percent of state median income for families of one to
              six members.  Attachment B also explains how to
              calculate state median income for families of more
              than six members.

ATTACHMENTS: (A) Federal Register Notice, (68 FR 18230-18232), published
                  on Tuesday, April 15, 2003
             (B) 60 percent of estimated state median income
                  adjusted for family size, by state, FFY 2004 (Excel 97/16k)

INQUIRIES TO: Leon Litow, Program Analyst
              Division of Energy Assistance
              Office of Community Services, ACF, HHS
              370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
              Washington, D.C.  20447
              202) 401-5304
              E-mail: llitow@acf.dhhs.gov





                         ______________/s____________
                         Clarence H. Carter
                         Director
                         Office of Community Services


Attachment A

[Federal Register: April 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 72)] [Notices] [Page 18230-18232] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15ap03-83] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families State Median Income Estimate for a Four-Person Family (FFY 2004); Notice of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2004 State Median Income Estimates for Use Under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administered by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance AGENCY: Office of Community Services, ACF, DHHS. ACTION: Notice of estimated State median income for FFY 2004. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the estimated median income for four- person families in each State and the District of Columbia for FFY 2004 (October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004). LIHEAP grantees may adopt the State median income estimates beginning with the date of this publication of the estimates in the Federal Register or at a later date as discussed below. This means that LIHEAP grantees could choose to implement this notice during the period between the heating and cooling seasons. However, by October 1, 2003, or by the beginning of a grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later, LIHEAP grantees using State median income estimates must adjust their income eligibility criteria to be in accord with the FFY 2004 State median income estimates. This listing of estimated State median incomes provides maximum income levels for households to which LIHEAP grantees may make payments under LIHEAP. EFFECTIVE DATE: The estimates are effective at any time between the date of this publication and October 1, 2003, or by the beginning of a LIHEAP grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leon Litow, Administration for Children and Families, DHHS, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, 5th Floor West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-5304, E-Mail: llitow@acf.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the provisions of section 2603(7) of Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Pub. L. 97-35, as amended), we are announcing the estimated median income of a four-person family for each State, the District of Columbia, and the United States for [[Page 18231]] FFY 2004 (the period of October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004). Section 2605(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the LIHEAP statute provides that 60 percent of the median income for each State, as annually established by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, is one of the income criteria that LIHEAP grantees may use in determining a household's eligibility for LIHEAP. LIHEAP is currently authorized through the end of FFY 2004 by the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-285, which was enacted on October 27, 1998. Estimates of the median income of a four-person family for each State and the District of Columbia for FFY 2004 have been developed by the Bureau of the Census of the U.S. Department of Commerce, using the most recently available income data. In developing the median income estimates for FFY 2004, the Bureau of the Census used the following three sources of data: (1) The Current Population Survey 2002 Annual Demographic File; (2) the 2000 Decennial Census of Population; and (3) 2001 per capita personal income estimates, by State, from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As indicated above, the Current Population Survey 2000 Annual Demographic File is one of the data sources used in developing the State median estimates for FFY 2004. The use of this file introduces the following changes in development of the estimates: 1. The Annual Demographic File enhances income estimates produced by the Bureau of the Census from the March Current Population (CPS). In 2001, the Bureau of the Census began referring to the March CPS file as the CPS Annual Demographic File (ADF) due to a significant sample expansion to improve the accuracy of State estimates of children's health insurance coverage and an expansion of the months in which the survey is conducted. This sample expansion, known as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) sample, has three components: (1) Asking the March Income Supplement questions of selected households in the February and April CPS samples, that is, of the households not also included in the March sample; (2) interviewing selected sample households from the preceding November CPS sample during the February- April period using the March Income Supplement; and (3) increasing the monthly CPS sample in States with high sampling errors for uninsured children. The sample increase added about 28,000 interviewed households to the 2001 ADF, resulting in a total sample size of about 78,000 interviewed households. Although the expanded sample was implemented in 2001, only information from the regular 2001 March CPS sample was released when the FFY 2003 State median income estimates were calculated. The FFY 2004 estimates shown below use the expanded sample from the 2002 ADF. 2. Prior income estimates from the March CPS have been based on population controls from the 1990 Decennial Census of Population. The 2002 ADF estimates are based on population controls from the 2000 Decennial Census of Population. Nationally, the use of Census 2000- based population controls lowered the national median household income by 0.3 percent. For further information on the estimating method and data sources, contact the Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, at the Bureau of the Census (301-763-3243). A state-by-state listing of median income, and 60 percent of median income, for a four-person family for FFY 2004 follows. The listing describes the method for adjusting median income for families of different sizes as specified in regulations applicable to LIHEAP, at 45 CFR 96.85(b), which was published in the Federal Register on March 3, 1988 at 53 FR 6824. Dated: March 6, 2003. Clarence H. Carter, Director. ESTIMATED STATE MEDIAN INCOME FOR 4-PERSON FAMILIES, BY STATE, FEDERAK FISCAL YEAR 20041 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Estimated state 60 percent of median income for estimated state States a four-person median income for a family2 four-person family ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alabama...........................$54,594 $32,756 Alaska.............................71,395 42,837 Arizona............................56,067 33,640 Arkansas...........................47,838 28,703 California.........................63,761 38,257 Colorado...........................67,634 40,580 Connecticut........................82,517 49,510 Delaware...........................73,301 43,981 District of Col....................61,799 37,079 Florida............................56,824 34,094 Georgia............................59,497 35,698 Hawaii.............................66,014 39,608 Idaho..............................51,098 30,659 Illinois...........................66,507 39,904 Indiana............................63,573 38,144 Iowa...............................61,656 36,994 Kansas.............................61,686 37,012 Kentucky...........................54,319 32,591 Louisiana..........................51,234 30,740 Maine..............................58,425 35,055 Maryland...........................82,879 49,727 Massachusetts......................80,247 48,148 Michigan...........................68,337 41,002 Minnesota..........................72,635 43,581 Mississippi........................46,810 28,086 Missouri...........................61,036 36,622 Montana............................48,078 28,847 Nebraska...........................60,626 36,376 Nevada.............................59,283 35,570 New Hampshire......................72,606 43,564 New Jersey.........................80,577 48,346 New Mexico.........................46,596 27,958 New York...........................66,498 39,899 North Carolina.....................56,500 33,900 North Dakota.......................55,138 33,083 Ohio...............................64,282 38,569 Oklahoma...........................53,949 32,369 Oregon.............................58,737 35,242 Pennsylvania.......................66,130 39,678 Rhode Island.......................70,446 42,268 South Carolina.....................59,212 35,527 South Dakota.......................59,718 35,831 Tennessee..........................56,052 33,631 Texas..............................56,606 33,964 Utah...............................59,035 35,421 Vermont............................62,938 37,763 Virginia...........................69,616 41,770 Washington.........................65,997 39,598 West Virginia......................49,470 29,682 Wisconsin..........................65,441 39,265 Wyoming............................58,541 35,125 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note--FFY 2004 covers the period of October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. The estimated median income for a four-person family living in the United States is $63,278 for FFY 2004. The estimates are effective for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at any time between the date of this publication and October 1, 2003, or by the beginning of a LIHEAP grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later. 1In accordance with 45 CFR 96.85, each State's estimated median income for a four-person family is multiplied by the following percentages to adjust for family size: 52% for one person, 68% for two persons, 84% for three persons, 100% for four persons, 116% for five persons, and 132% for six persons. For each additional family member above six persons, add 3% to the percentage for a six-person family (132%), and multiply the new percentage by the State's estimated median income for a four-person family. 2Prepared by the Bureau of the Census from the Current Population Survey 2002 Annual Demographic File, 2000 Decennial Census of Population and Housing, and 2001 per capita personal income estimates, by State, from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). For further information, contact the Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division at the Bureau of the Census (301-763-3243). [[Page 18232]] [FR Doc. 03-9088 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4184-01-P

Top of Page

www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap
Posted 4/29/03