1. LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DESIGN REFRESHER Jo-Ann L
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DESIGN REFRESHER Jo-Ann L. Choate February 27, 2017

2. LIHEAP is a Block Grant
Flexibility within the bounds of the legislation.
That means you have the ability to design your program that best meets your States needs, within the bounties of the legislation.

3. Year – round vs. Seasonal Programs
State’s decide whether they will administer a Seasonal Program or a Year round program.
Consider your climate, target population, energy costs and funding level
Can you exhaust your funding in a seasonal program
Can applicants be served multiple times in a program year.

4. Program components

5. LIHEAP Eligibility Criteria
State Median or Federal Poverty level.
Categorical Eligibility.
Income eligibility only or Asset Limits too.
Serve less people more or more people less.
Census Data
Payment matrix

6. Weatherization Transfer or not? If so, how much? Waiver needed
DOE Rules or LIHEAP rules or mixture?
What measures will be offered?
More flexibility in LIHEAP energy Conservations measures?
Windows
Doors
Water Heaters
Timely reporting is required of WX administrators
When it comes to transferring LIHEAP $ for WX, you’re in the driver’s seat because you are accountable for the funds

7. Crisis Priority Previous Regular application required
Multiple benefits provided
Minimum – Maximum Crisis benefit
18/48 hour rule
Define the difference between “Regular Crisis” and Life Threatening Crisis?
What procedures are in place to address life threatening situations?
Crisis Benefits.

8. Compliance With Assurances
Assurances should be integrated into the service provider contracts.
Executive Directors need to acknowledge responsibility for compliance with assurances with a sign off.

9. Program Integrity Proper controls in place at all levels.
Monitoring of subgrantees.
Fraud Procedures.

10. Program Performance Is data collection centralized or decentralized?
Main concerns

11. Program Performance (continued)
Reporting (OLDC)
Keep password active
Model/State Plan Due Sept 1
HHS monitors based on what you put in your Plan
Use the Clone feature to save time on data entry of previous year data (AT ).

12. Program Performance (continued)
Reporting (OLDC)
Household Report
LIHEAP Performance Data Form Due ______?
Carryover and Re-allotment Due _______?
Quarterly Allocation Estimates__________?
Federal Financial Report Due _______, what is the name of the Report?
Leveraging Report ______?

13. Vendor Agreements: Agreements protect the interest of?
In place for every vendor?
What are the lengths of the agreements?
Enforce agreements?
Simple questions above

14. Allocation of funds among components
Administration: up to 10%
LIHEAP Regular Energy Benefits.
Crisis Benefits (regular and life threatening) Wx
Assurance 16
Other?
All listed and basic info, the other will be a conversation

15. Policy Advisory Committee
Bring in stakeholders
Direct feedback on State Plan
Transparency fosters trust and cooperation
Have the committee members do the work for you!
New ideas!!!!!!!
I will touch on this for the importance of working with others and partners for their input as it better to build the program together.

16. Public Hearings How do you publish your Plan?
Ensure copies are clearly marked as drafts before the Plan is published prior to the hearing.
Notes: State & Local websites
State Library
Reception Desk
Others

17. Customer Service Targeted Outreach Communication is the Key
Clear instructions for application requirements
Clear and timely decisions on eligibility determination
Consistency

18. Interaction with legislators
Reporting
Assist advocates with data when seeking additional funding

19. Funding Sources
LIHEAP
State funds
Ratepayer Funds
Charitable
Other

20. Partnerships States/Tribes CAAs/CSBG/WAP Local Govt. Utilities
Energy Vendors

21. Resources NEADA Website OCS Website LIHEAP Clearinghouse
LIHEAP Home Energy Notebook
Fellow LIHEAP Directors

22. Questions?
If you have question or need more information, please contact NEADA and we will make sure your question is referred to the correct person(s) and answered promptly.