1. LIHEAP Overview CURRENT OVERVIEW AS OF 10/09/2015 1

2. What is the Purpose of LIHEAP?  LIHEAP helps low-income households stay safe and healthy by providing financial assistance to offset the costs of heating and cooling. LIHEAP particularly helps households that pay a high portion of their income for home energy to meet immediate home energy needs 2

3. What is LIHEAP?  LIHEAP is a program through DHHS Economic Assistance that stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program  Available to those that have the highest energy burden or are considered economically vulnerable, elderly or disabled.  LIHEAP program consists of Heating, Cooling and Crisis Assistance.  Heating Season October 1 st to March 31 st  Cooling Season June 1 st to August 30 th  Crisis is a year round program 3

4. How is LIHEAP Funded?  LIHEAP is a completely Federally Funded program  Appropriations are made at the Federal Level and disbursed to all states yearly  Funding is to be used from Oct 1 st to September 30 th each year  DHHS receives a grant award letter and funds are distributed as follows;  90% Grant and 10% administration  DHHS keeps a majority of the funds to administer the LIHEAP program through ACCESSNebraska  DHHS provides funds to the Nebraska Energy Office through contract for weatherization purposes 4

5. Who Qualifies for LIHEAP  Those who apply through ACCESSNebraska and meet citizenship and residency requirements, and  Have a income at or below 130% (this increase is effective October 1 st, 2015), and  Effective October 1, 2015 there is no resource limit.  Are billed for utilities or have utilities included in their rent  Cooling Assistance includes additional requirements  have a medical need documented by a doctor  Receive SSI  Receive TANF and have a child age 5 years or younger 5

6. Who Qualifies for LIHEAP (continued)  For Crisis;  Must be otherwise eligible for LIHEAP assistance (heating or cooling), and  In jeopardy of their utilities being shut off or having their budget plan discontinued, and  Effective October 1, 2015 one of the following:  An unanticipated medical or household expense;  A significant, permanent and involuntary loss of work hours, wages, or employment;  The departure of a primary wage earner;  The inability of a primary wage earner to work because of illness or injury;  A significant income loss because of the death of a Household member. 6

7. LIHEAP Income Guidelines This information can be found online at: http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Pages/fia_energy.aspx 7

8. Other Program Information  Every year a State Plan is due on September 30 th for the upcoming Energy Year, the State Plan always has a public hearing for public comments.  Nebraska also has assistance for (eligibility requirements must be met);  Deposits  Repair/Replacement of Heating or Cooling Units  Window Air Conditioner purchase  Fans – administered through Community Partners throughout the State  Nebraska participates in the following optional programs,  Year round crisis assistance (only mandated to be from April 1 st through May 31)  Cooling Program  Weatherization Program 8

9. Questions and Comments  Please ask any questions you may have.  Are there any comments? 9