13 Reduction of home energy needs,2605(b)(16) - Assurance 16

13.1 Describe how you use LIHEAP funds to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance? Assurance 16 (A-16) services are structured to encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy usage and ultimately their dependence on energy assistance. A-16 activities include needs assessments, counseling referrals to other services, education programs on ways to save energy and to implement household budgeting. Energy Efficiency Education and Counseling. Assurance 16 provide targeted energy education services to help households manage their utility consumption. These efforts contribute to lower utility bills and increased household knowledge of sustainable energy practices. Key features include: Individual and group sessions on energy efficiency. • Education on cost-saving practices such as LED lighting, smart thermostat use, and weatherization techniques. • Referrals to Weatherization Assistance Programs and other community resources. • Integration of budgeting concepts alongside energy education. • Case Management for Crisis Applicants. Expanded support for households in crisis, particularly those at risk of utility disconnection or carrying arrears can help to stabilize households facing immediate utility-related hardships. Services include: One-on-one case management for Crisis applicants. • Development of personalized action plans addressing energy burden. • Support with arrearage reduction and vendor mediation. • Referrals to fuel banks and other assistance programs. • Financial literacy resources that are integrated into client plans. • Budgeting Skills Development. A key component of Assurance 16 in 2024 was the inclusion of financial literacy and budgeting education. These efforts promote improved confidence in handling household finances and reduced reliance on emergency utility aid. Workshops and counseling sessions covered: Budget creation and money management techniques. • Understanding and managing utility bills and household expenses. • Setting financial goals and building emergency savings. • Credit education and debt reduction strategies. • 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? Five percent (5%) of LIHEAP program funds are allocated to CBOs for Assurance 16 (A-16) programs. However, A-16 is an optional program in Arkansas, so any CBO electing not to operate an A-16 program will use these funds for Regular or Crisis Assistance benefits. The reimbursement process does not allow expenditures of more than the allocated amount by any CBO. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Participants expressed that they had learned new ways to decrease energy costs by making small changes around their homes such as applying weather stripping to doors and windows, not storing items on top of the refrigerator, and changing the type of light bulb they were using. Overall, A-16 participants have reported a decrease in energy usage and an increase in the ability to manage household needs. One client was enrolled in school and had to choose between having to pay for gas to get back and forth to school and pay for her utilities. The A-16 program was able to alleviate a little of that stress with the incentives placed on her utility accounts. She was able to finish up her certification to become a medical assistant and seek employment that allowed her to make money to support her family. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. In 2024 a total of $1,410,315.00 was made available to the fifteen (15) CBOs for Assurance 16. Five of the CBOs chose to offer an A-16 program. $400,046.03 was spent by the five (5) CBOs to operate Assurance 16 programs. Direct benefits to households totaling $257,622.34 included payments to utility providers, educational materials, and repair of faulty equipment or gas lines. The maximum benefit per household totaled $600.00 for the duration of the program. 13.5 How many households received these services? 472 If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.