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1. Introduction and Use of Funds
The Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (Title XXVI) as amended authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make block grants, in accordance with provisions of the Act, to states to assist eligible households to meet the costs of home energy. By designation of the Governor, the Department of Economic and Community Affairs (State Office) is responsible for all funds received or to be received under the title except where a recognized Alabama Indian Tribe receives direct Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Federal funds to serve Indian households.
Unless specified otherwise in this Policy Manual, consider Indian households in the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, Ma-Chis Lower Creek, United Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to be served through tribal LIHEAP funds and not by the Department of Economic and Community Affairs.
The local LIHEAP agency is responsible for making the decisions regarding the eligibility of each household seeking assistance under the LIHEAP. Any person, whether seeking aid for himself or on behalf of a household, or making an inquiry for information only, shall be informed about the eligibility requirements and the rights and obligations of applicants under the program.
All decisions concerning the LIHEAP must be in keeping with laws governing the program and with the rules made available by the Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The local staff must, therefore, be thoroughly familiar with all requirements, policies, and regulations in this Policy Manual relating to eligibility.
The purpose of the LIHEAP is to assist eligible households in meeting the rising costs of home energy. Vendor payments will be made on behalf of households eligible for the LIHEAP. No payments under this program are to be made directly to a household except as specified in the Policy Manual. No payments on behalf of an eligible household shall exceed the amount as set out in the Payment Assistance Chart except where specified in the manual.
The use of LIHEAP funds shall be in keeping with Title XXVI - "Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981" as amended, and LIHEAP funds may not be used for any purpose other than for assisting eligible households to meet the costs of home energy. Home energy is defined in Section 2603 (3) of the Title as "a source of heating or cooling in residential dwellings."
The Policy Manual constitutes the only official rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements of the LIHEAP. Households that do not meet the requirements are not eligible for assistance and may not receive any benefits under LIHEAP.