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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Supplemental Leveraging Incentive Funds may be awarded to reward States and other jurisdictions that provide additional
Up to 25 percent of the leveraging incentive funds may be set aside for LIHEAP grantees that provide services through community-based nonprofit organizations to help LIHEAP-eligible households reduce their energy vulnerability under the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH).
Training and Technical Assistance: To provide training and technical assistance to States and other jurisdictions administering the LIHEAP block grant program.
Training and Technical Assistance: Training workshops and clearinghouses have been conducted.
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Program Accomplishments
Energy Assistance Block Grants are estimated to be awarded to 50 States, the District of Columbia, five Trust Territories, and numerous federally- and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments in fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2008. During fiscal year 2006, States provided regular and crisis heating assistance benefits to approximately 5.2 million households. Additionally, households could have received other energy crisis assistance, assistance with cooling costs, or weatherization assistance. As a result, some households can receive more than one type of LIHEAP assistance. States are expected to serve approximately 5.0 million households in fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Funds are awarded to States and other jurisdictions, which then make payments directly to an eligible low-income household or, on behalf of such household, to an energy supplier to assist in meeting the cost of home energy.
Up to 10 percent of these funds may be used for State and local planning and administration.
Up to 15 percent may be used for low-cost residential weatherization.
Grantees may request that DHHS grant a waiver for the fiscal year that increases from 15 percent to 25 percent funds that can be allotted for residential weatherization.
Depending upon specific appropriations, DHHS may allocate supplemental LIHEAP leveraging incentive funds to grantees that have acquired nonfederal leveraged resources in order to provide additional benefits and services to LIHEAP-eligible households to help them meet their home heating and cooling needs.
Up to 25 percent of leveraging incentive funds may be allocated by DHHS to LIHEAP grantees that provide services through community-based nonprofit organizations to LIHEAP-eligible households to reduce their energy vulnerability, under the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH).
Up to $600,000,000 is authorized as emergency contingency funds to be used to meet additional needs arising from a natural disaster or other emergency.
Such funds will be made available only after submission to Congress of a formal budget request for all or part of the funds by the President that designates the amount of the request as an emergency under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Training and Technical Assistance: the Secretary has authority to set aside up to $300,000 from each year's appropriation for training and technical assistance relating to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
These T/TA activities are accomplished through: grants, contracts, or jointly financed cooperative or interagency agreements with States, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, public agencies, or private nonprofit organizations; through interagency agreements, including with Federal agencies; or through on-site compliance reviews of LIHEAP grantees.
The nature of and amount awarded for training and technical assistance vary from year to year.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Energy Assistance Block Grants: All States, the District of Columbia, federally-and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments which request direct funding, and specified Territories may receive direct grants.
The prospective grantee must submit an annual application.
Grantees desiring leveraging incentive funds and REACH funds must submit special applications each year.
Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released.
Training and Technical Assistance: States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, Territories, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations may apply.
Nothing in the statute precludes a business concern that applies jointly with a private nonprofit organization from receiving a training and technical assistance grant.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Energy Assistance Block Grants: All States, the District of Columbia, federally-and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments that request direct funding, and specified Territories may provide assistance to households with incomes up to the greater of 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of the State median income. Grantees may establish lower income eligibility levels, but they may not set the limit below 110 percent of the poverty level. Training and Technical Assistance: States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, Territories, public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations may apply. Nothing in the Statute precludes a business concern that applies jointly with a private nonprofit organization from receiving a training and technical assistance grant.
Credentials/Documentation
Energy Assistance Block Grants: The chief executive officer of the State, Tribe or Territory or his designee must certify to 16 assurances required by law. Households must meet beneficiary eligibility requirements. Grantees desiring leveraging incentive funds or REACH funds must submit annual applications. Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. Training and Technical Assistance: Requirements vary and are at www.grants.gov,www.fedbizopps.gov.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Requirements for applications are set forth in Section 2605 of the authorization.
There is no required format for applications but a model plan application is available.
Prospective grantees may contact the Office of Community Services Headquarters Office for assistance.
(See Information Contacts below.) Prospective grantees for leveraging incentive funds or REACH funds must submit applications in a format prescribed by HHS.
Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Training and Technical Assistance: Requirements that apply to each request for proposals vary and are at www.grants.gov, www.fedbizopps.gov.
Application Procedures
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Applications are submitted by the chief executive officer of a State, Indian Tribe (recognized by the Federal government or a State government), tribal organization, or Territory, or his designee. Applications contain assurances prescribed by law and a plan describing how certain assurances will be carried out, and other information specified by law. Separate applications are required to qualify for leveraging incentive funds and REACH funds. Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released. Households wishing to apply for benefits should contact the local welfare agency or community action agency for information regarding the agency administering the program in their jurisdiction. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-110. Training and Technical Assistance: Requirements that apply to each request for proposals vary and are at www.grants.gov, www.fedbizopps.gov.
Award Procedures
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Grants are made upon receipt of a complete application by the Office of Community Services Headquarters Office. Leveraging incentive funds and REACH funds will be awarded based on applications submitted by grantees. Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released. Training and Technical Assistance: Procedures that apply to each request for proposals vary and are at www.grants.gov,www.fedzopps.gov.
Deadlines
Energy Assistance Block Grants: States and Territories must submit their applications by September 1, prior to the fiscal year for which funds are sought, unless the Department agrees to a later date. Tribal applications must also be submitted by September 1, prior to the fiscal year for which the funds are sought, unless the State in which a tribe is located agrees to a later date. All applications must be completed by December 15, of the fiscal year for which funds are sought, unless the Department (in the case of States and Territories) or the State (in the case of tribal grantees) agrees to a later date. Leveraging incentive fund reports are due by November 30 of each year. Contact Headquarters Office listed below for further information. www.grants.gov, www.fedbizopps.
Authorization
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, as amended; Energy Policy Act of 2005 Public Law 109-58.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Energy Assistance Block Grants: The Department reviews plans for completeness and will act on the plans submitted as quickly as possible. Leveraging incentive and REACH applications will be reviewed and acted upon as quickly as possible. Training and Technical Assistance: Range of time varies, depending upon the nature and complexity of a request for proposals.
Appeals
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Grantees may request a hearing regarding repayment of funds or withholding of funds under Section 2608 of the authorization. Training and Technical Assistance: Not applicable for unsuccessful applicants for grants or cooperative agreements. For contracts, offerors may object to a contract award by filing a protest with the contracting officer or higher authority. The notification issued by the contracting office to unsuccessful bidders contains the procedures and time frame for filing a protest.
Renewals
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Annual applications are required. Separate annual applications are also required for leveraging incentive funds and REACH funds. Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released. Training and Technical Assistance: Award periods may vary and are at www.grants.gov, www.fedbizopps.gov.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Energy Assistance Block Grants: There is no requirement for matching Federal funds with grantee funds. Allocations to grantees are based on the formulas described in Section 2604 of the authorizing statute. Allocations for leveraging incentive funds are based upon the amount of leveraging activity carried out by the grantee in the previous year as a proportion of its regular LIHEAP allotment, taking into account the amount of leveraging carried out by all grantees. Contact funding agency for further details. Any matching requirements for REACH funds will be established by program announcements each year. Training and Technical Assistance: There is no requirement for matching Federal funds with grantee funds.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Grant awards are made to grantees with complete applications for carrying out the program within the fiscal year. Up to 10 percent of a fiscal year's grant may be held available for obligation in the subsequent fiscal year. For leveraging incentive funds, obligation must occur by the end of the fiscal year following the year in which the funds are appropriated, without regard to the 10 percent carryover limit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Energy Assistance Block Grants: Grantees must submit an annual report within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year on the amount of funds obligated during the fiscal year and the last date of obligation of funds.
A report is required annually on the number and income levels of households served during the previous year, on those households that are served that have members who are elderly, disabled, or young children, and on the number and income levels of all households that apply for assistance, whether or not they are served.
This report must be included as part of the annual plan before funds are released.
A report on the amount of funds that the grantee desires to carry over for obligation in the succeeding fiscal year, the reasons any such funds will not be used during the first fiscal year, the types of assistance to be provided with funds carried over, and the amount of funds, if any, to be subject to reallotment must be submitted by August 1 annually.
Grant awards for the following fiscal year will not be released until this report is received.
A report is required from those grantees expending up to 5 percent of funds under section 2605 (b) (16) for services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs.
A report is due by November 30 of each year for those grantees that wish to receive leveraging incentive funds, reporting the amount value of leveraged resources they added to the program in the previous fiscal year.
Training and Technical Assistance: Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial reports and a final progress report.
For contracts, contractors are required to submit quarterly financial reports from HHS-646, Financial Report of Individual Project (Contract).
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments and Non-Profit Organizations," Non-Federal entities that expend $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003) or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of this part. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $300,000 ($500,000 for fiscal years ending after December 31, 2003) a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in section .215(a), but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and General Accounting Office (GAO).
Records
Proper grant accounting records must be maintained.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1502-0-1-609.
Obigations
(Grants) Energy Assistance Block Grants: FY 07 $1,952,500,000; FY 08 1,953,000,000 and FY 09 est $1,672,500,000. Training and Technical Assistance: (Contracts and Interagency Agreements) FY 07 $293,000; FY 08 $292,000 and FY 09 est $297,000. Leveraging/REACH Grants: FY 07 $26,100,000, FY 08 $26,800,000 and FY 09 est $27,200,000. Contingency Funds: FY 07 $181,200,000, FY 08 $590,300,000 and FY 09 est $300,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
(Grants) Energy Assistance Block Grants: in fiscal year 2008, from $247,769,199 to $ 2,113,267.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
45 CFR 96; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Nick St.Angelo, Director, Division of Energy Assistance, Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 401-9351. Fax: (202) 401-5661.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria pertinent to each request for training and technical assistance proposals are published in the Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily.
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