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 funds play a significant role in the ability of CAAs to provide the appropriate case management activities aimed at reducing reliance on LIHEAP funds and reducing their overall energy needs. Such activities include, but are not limited to, assistance with arrearage reduction, discounts on electric bills,non-CEAP funded fuel banks, financial education, energy conservation and vendor mediation. 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? The Department of Social Services (DSS) allocates less than the maximum 5% of LIHEAP funds to the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) for designated activities. These agencies must provide quarterly fiscal and programmatic reports that detail the utilization of these funds for their intended specific purposes. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. In addition to the direct benefits for LIHEAP recipients outlined in Section 13.4, clients also gained from budget counseling, money management services, energy conservation advice, and vendor mediation. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Assurance 16 funded staff have been instrumental in securing millions of dollars for LIHEAP recipients by enrolling them in utility arrearage forgiveness program Matching Payment Program. They have also facilitated reductions in electric accounts by helping customers sign up for the Low Income Discount Rate (LIDR), and through Operation Fuel, a non-profit that offers heating assistance to households that have used up their LIHEAP benefits or are in danger of heat shut-offs. Additionally, they provide vendor mediation to prevent shut-offs or lower monthly budget payments, and offer financial literacy services for better money management. 13.5 How many households received these services? 11,642 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.