Energy Assistance Block Grants: To make Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grants available to States and other
jurisdictions to assist eligible households to meet the costs of home energy.
Supplemental Leveraging Incentive Funds may be awarded to reward States and
other jurisdictions that provide additional benefits and services to LIHEAP-eligible
households beyond what could be provided with Federal funds. 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 Option Program (REACH). Training and
Technical Assistance: To provide training and technical assistance to States
and other jurisdictions administering the LIHEAP block grant program.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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. Beginning in fiscal year 1996, 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 published in the
Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily.
Pre-application 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 published in the Federal Register or Commerce Business
Daily.
Application Procedure:
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 published in the Federal Register or
Commerce Business Daily.
Award Procedure: 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 published in the Federal
Register or Commerce Business Daily.
Deadlines: Energy
Assistance Block Grants: Beginning with applications for fiscal year 2001
funds, 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. Deadlines for
REACH applications will be set by program announcements each year. Training
and Technical Assistance: Deadlines pertaining to each request for proposals
vary and are published in the Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily.
Contact Headquarters Office listed below for further information.
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 published in the Federal
Register or Commerce Business Daily.
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. Obligation
requirements for REACH funds will be set by program announcements each year.
Instructions will be issued if emergency contingency funds are released.
Training and Technical Assistance: Award periods may vary and are published in
the Federal Register or Commerce Business Daily.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Energy Assistance
Block Grants: Beginning with fiscal year 2000, 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. Any reporting requirements for
REACH funds will be established by program announcement each 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 24, 1997),
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in
Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in
Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year,
except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In addition, contracts, grants and
cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other
Federal officials. Training and Technical Assistance: State or local agencies
receiving grants must submit financial compliance audits covering the grant
period in accordance with Federal Regulations, Title 45 CFR 92. Private
nonprofit organizations must provide audits in accordance with OMB Circular
No. A-133. In addition, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements are
subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal officials.
Records: Proper grant
accounting records must be maintained.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
75-1502-0-1-609.
Obligations: (Grants)
Energy Assistance Block Grants: FY 01 $1,855,650,000; FY 02 est
$1,699,700,000; and FY 03 est $1,399,700,000. Training and Technical
Assistance: (Grants and Contracts) FY 01 $298,799; FY 02 est $300,000; and FY
03 est $300,000. In addition, emergency contingency funds of $300,000,000 for
FY 02 and FY 03 may be available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
In fiscal year 2001, from $23,409 to $174,373,111; Average: $24,136,607.
In fiscal year 2002, from $28,000 to $212,495,000;
Average: $30,352,000.
Energy Assistance Block Grants were awarded to 50
States, the District of Columbia, five Trust Territories, and numerous
federally- and State-recognized Indian Tribal governments in fiscal year 2001.
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 2002 and fiscal year
2003. During fiscal year 2001, States provided regular and crisis heating
assistance benefits to approximately 4.8 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 4.4 million households in fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
45 CFR 96; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not
applicable.
Headquarters Office: Nick
St.Angelo, Acting 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. FTS is not available. FAX: (202) 401-5661. E-mail: liheap@acf.dhhs.gov.
Web Site Address: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Training and Technical Assistance: Training workshops
and clearinghouses have been conducted.
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.
