[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11212-11214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6590]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of Community Services


State Median Income Estimates for Four-Person Families (FY 1997); 
Notice of the Fiscal Year (FY) 1997 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: Administration for Children and Families (ACF), DHHS.

ACTION: Notice of estimated state median income for FY 1997.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice announces the estimated median income for four-
person families in each state and the District of Columbia for FY 1997 
(October 1, 1996 to September 30, 1997). In the past, the date for 
adoption of the state median income estimates has been the first day of 
the fiscal year after their publication. The adoption date for the 
state median income estimates was changed last year to be consistent 
with the adoption date for the poverty income guidelines. Therefore, 
LIHEAP grantees may adopt the state median income estimates at any time 
between the date of this publication and the first day of FY 1997, at 
the LIHEAP grantee's option. This means that LIHEAP grantees could also 
choose to implement this notice during the period between the heating 
and cooling seasons. However, by October 1, 1996, 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 FY 1997 state median income 
estimates.
    This listing of estimated state median incomes concerns 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, 1996, 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, HHS, Office of Community Services, Division of 
Energy Assistance, 5th Floor West, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20447, Telephone: (202) 401-5304
Internet E-Mail: [email protected]

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 FY 1997 (the period of October 1, 1996, through 
September 30, 1997).
    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 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 FY 1999 by the 
Human Services Amendments of 1994, Pub. L. 103-252, which was enacted 
on May 18, 1994.
    Estimates of the median income of four-person families for each 
state and the District of Columbia for FY 1997 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 FY 1997, the Bureau of the Census used the following 
three sources of data: (1) the March 1995 Current Population Survey; 
(2) the 1990 Decennial Census of Population; and (3) 1994 per capita 
personal income estimates, by state, from the Bureau of Economic 
Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
    Like the estimates for FY 1996, the FY 1997 estimates include 
income estimates from the March Current Population Survey that are 
based on population controls from the 1990 Decennial Census of 
Population. Previous income estimates from the March Current Population 
Survey had been based on population controls from the 1980 Decennial 
Census of Population. Generally, the use of 1990 population controls 
results in somewhat lower estimates of income.
    For further information on the estimating method and data sources, 
contact Edward Welniak, Chief of the Income Statistics Branch, Housing 
and Household Economic Statistics Division, at the Bureau of the Census 
(301-763-8576).

[[Page 11213]]

    A state-by-state listing of median income, and 60 percent of median 
income, for a four-person family for FY 1997 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 13, 1996.
Donald Sykes,
Director, Office of Community Services.

              Estimated State Median Income for 4-Person Families, by State, Fiscal Year 19971 \1\              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Estimated state median  60 percent of estimated
                            States                                  income 4-person       state median income 4-
                                                                      families \2\           person families    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama.......................................................                  $41,730                  $25,038
Alaska........................................................                   53,555                   32,133
Arizona.......................................................                   41,599                   24,959
Arkansas......................................................                   36,510                   21,906
California....................................................                   48,755                   29,253
Colorado......................................................                   48,801                   29,281
Connecticut...................................................                   62,107                   37,264
Delaware......................................................                   55,049                   33,029
District of Col...............................................                   52,015                   31,209
Florida.......................................................                   43,374                   26,024
Georgia.......................................................                   45,093                   27,056
Hawaii........................................................                   56,992                   34,195
Idaho.........................................................                   41,208                   24,725
Illinois......................................................                   51,951                   31,171
Indiana.......................................................                   47,212                   28,327
Iowa..........................................................                   45,062                   27,037
Kansas........................................................                   44,409                   26,645
Kentucky......................................................                   37,984                   22,790
Louisiana.....................................................                   39,734                   23,840
Maine.........................................................                   42,647                   25,588
Maryland......................................................                   57,951                   34,771
Massachusetts.................................................                   58,695                   35,217
Michigan......................................................                   51,342                   30,805
Minnesota.....................................................                   51,996                   31,198
Mississippi...................................................                   37,003                   22,202
Missouri......................................................                   44,266                   26,560
Montana.......................................................                   39,219                   23,531
Nebraska......................................................                   45,497                   27,298
Nevada........................................................                   47,929                   28,757
New Hampshire.................................................                   51,491                   30,895
New Jersey....................................................                   60,697                   36,418
New Mexico....................................................                   37,170                   22,302
New York......................................................                   50,964                   30,578
North Carolina................................................                   44,582                   26,749
North Dakota..................................................                   42,222                   25,333
Ohio..........................................................                   46,848                   28,109
Oklahoma......................................................                   38,787                   23,272
Oregon........................................................                   44,432                   26,659
Pennsylvania..................................................                   49,120                   29,472
Rhode Island..................................................                   51,709                   31,025
South Carolina................................................                   43,556                   26,134
South Dakota..................................................                   42,964                   25,778
Tennessee.....................................................                   42,132                   25,279
Texas.........................................................                   42,570                   25,542
Utah..........................................................                   44,871                   26,923
Vermont.......................................................                   46,320                   27,792
Virginia......................................................                   49,453                   29,672
Washington....................................................                   48,932                   29,359
West Virginia.................................................                   38,357                   23,014
Wisconsin.....................................................                   48,982                   29,389
Wyoming.......................................................                   47,961                   28,777
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note--FY 1997 covers the period of October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1997. The estimated median income for 4-
  person families living in the United States is $47,012 for FY 1997. 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,
  1996, or by the beginning of a LIHEAP grantee's fiscal year, whichever is later.                              
\1\ In accordance with 45 CFR 96.85, each state's estimated median income for a 4-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 family sizes greater than
  six persons, add 3% to 132% for each additional family member and multiply the new percentage by the state's  
  estimated median income for a 4-person family.                                                                
\2\ Prepared by the Bureau of the Census from the March 1995 Current Population Survey, 1990 Decennial Census of
  Population and Housing, and 1994 per capita personal income estimates, by state, from the Bureau of Economic  
  Analysis.                                                                                                     


[[Page 11214]]

[FR Doc. 96-6590 Filed 3-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P