"Sleeping Room" Renters 415-20-10-05

(Revised 10/1/15 ML #3453)

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A sleeping room is less than a complete living unit that may or may not have a private entrance.

• Sleeping room renters who share the use of other rooms (kitchen and bath facilities, living area) located in the same dwelling unit ARE NOT considered sleeping room renters and ARE NOT eligible for LIHEAP benefits as a separate household.

• Sleeping room renters who have their own kitchen and bath facilities in the dwelling unit ARE NOT considered “sleeping room” renters. These renters may be eligible for LIHEAP benefits as a separate household.

 

In determining basic eligibility for sleeping room renters, the household must meet both income and asset limitations. The household's estimated cost of heating will be one-fourth of the one bedroom column on the cost/consumption table, not to exceed 25% of annual rent costs.

 

Example: Ann pays $250/month to rent a room in the home of an elderly couple. The area she rents is less than a complete living unit. It does NOT include a kitchen or living area. She shares those areas with the elderly couple. In this case, Ann would NOT be considered a sleeping room renter but would instead be considered a member of the elderly couple’s household.

 

If Ann rents a room from the elderly couple but does NOT share the living areas (kitchen, living room, etc.) with them, then she would be considered a sleeping room renter.

 

If the area she rents is a complete living unit (kitchen, bath, etc.), then she would be considered a renter and may be eligible for LIHEAP benefits as a separate household.