Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (93.568)

 

Program

93.568 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

 

Authorization

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981; Energy Policy Act of 2005 , Public Law 109-58.

 

Program Number

93.568

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

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 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

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

The Human Services Amendments of 1994 (Public Law 103-252) amended Section 2602(e) of the LIHEAP statute to provide for a permanent authorization of an emergency contingency fund. Under this provision, up to $600,000,000 may be made available each fiscal year, in addition to other funds that may be appropriated, "to meet the additional home energy assistance needs of one or more States arising from a natural disaster or other emergency." Funds appropriated under this section are considered to be emergency requirements under the terms of Section 251(b) (2) (D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and are to be made available only after the President submits a formal budget request to the Congress for all or a part of the funds appropriated under this section, provided that the request designates the amount requested as such an emergency requirement, unless said requirement is waived in the annual appropriation.

Section 2604(g) of the LIHEAP statute, as amended in 1994 by Public Law 103-252, allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allocate any funds made available under Section 2602(e) to one or more grantees, taking into account the extent to which the grantee was affected by the emergency or disaster, the availability of other resources to the grantees under LIHEAP or any other program, and such other factors that are deemed relevant.

Therefore, the previous response should be sufficient.

 

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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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. Training and Technical Assistance: Requirements that apply to each request for proposals vary and are at www.grants.gov, www.fedbizopps.gov.

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 at www.grants.gov,www.fedzopps.gov.

Deadlines

Sep 01, 2009 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.

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

Statutory Formula: Section 2604 of the LIHEAP statute addresses this issue.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

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. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Section 2607 of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, as amended.

 

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. No cash reports are required. 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). 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. This applies to leveraging only.

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," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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).

(As discussed in Appendix I of this Supplement, Federal Programs Excluded from the
A-102 Common Rule, LIHEAP is exempt from the provisions of the OMB cost principles circulars. However, according to 45 CFR 96.31(a), LIHEAP grantees and sub grantees are responsible for obtaining audits in accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507) and revised OMB Circular A-133, “Audits of State, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations.” An independent auditor in accordance with generally accepted Government auditing standards covering financial audits shall make the audits. State cost principals requirements apply to LIHEAP.)

Records

Proper grant accounting records must be maintained.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: 204 grants were awarded. Fiscal Year 2009: 202 grants have already been awarded. Fiscal Year 2010: Estimate 237 grants will be awarded.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1502-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $1,980,000,000; FY 09 est $4,509,672,000; FY 10 est $2,410,000,000 - Contingency Fund: FY08 $610,678,000; FY09 est. $590,328,000; FY10 est. not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY09 $4,651,781 to $475,409,152; Average is $86,841,142.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

45 CFR 96; 45 CFR 74; 45 CFR 92.

 

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Nick St.Angelo 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, District of Columbia 20447 Phone: (202) 401-9351 Fax: (202) 401-5661

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap.

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

 

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.