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The Department will provide $1.2 million in LIHEAP funds for the repair or replacement of heating systems, tanks, and water heaters (only in combi-boiler systems) for single family, owner- occupied/life-tenant occupied dwellings that are determined to be unsafe or inoperable. Vendors performing the repair or replacement work will be selected competitively. These funds are available for households eligible for CEAP and may be prioritized for vulnerable households. CAAs will not issue an authorization for a fuel delivery in cases where heating systems, including leaking fuel tanks, have been “red tagged” by a vendor or contractor certified to evaluate heating systems. The provision of these services is based on the availability of funds.

D. Performance Measures

As required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department will collect energy consumption information from vendors for households eligible for CEAP benefits. This data will be used to compute the energy burden of households receiving assistance. This information will allow the state to better focus future energy benefits on to those households with the highest energy burdens.

XIV. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS / SERVICES

This allocation plan has been developed based on the assumption that the total funding available in FFY 2026 for LIHEAP will be approximately $87.8 million. This assumes block grant funding at the FFY 2025 base level, anticipated carryforward funds, and vendor refunds. No Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding is assumed for this plan.

If the state receives funding at a level less than that specified in the Plan, benefit payment levels and/or income eligibility criteria may be adjusted. The Department will determine priorities for applying any reductions accordingly and will take into consideration recommendations from the Low-Income Energy and Water Advisory Board.

Should block grant funds received exceed the amount required to meet the benefit levels specified in the Plan, the additional funds may be utilized to provide some or all of the following: • Additional Crisis Assistance benefits to eligible households • An additional benefit on behalf of utility and/or deliverable fuel heated households • Increase to Basic Benefits • Increase to Rental Assistance Benefits • Increase to LIHEAP SNAP benefits • Extension of the deliverable fuel authorization period • Extension of the program intake period • Additional funding for heating system replacements to address unsafe/inoperable units • Funding for weatherization services for health and safety and other weatherization measures • Cooling assistance to eligible households • Heating assistance to state-funded homeless shelters.

Should contingency funds be released and designated to be used for cooling measures, funds will be used in accordance with guidance provided by HHS.

In response to the demonstrated need for expanded operational flexibility, DSS has implemented an online application process for energy assistance. In accordance with section 4-28b of the Connecticut General Statutes, after recommended allocations have been approved or modified, any proposed transfer to or from any specific allocation of a sum or sums of over $50,000 or 10% of any such specific allocation, whichever is less, shall be submitted by the Governor to the speaker and the president pro tempore and approved, modified, or rejected by the committees. Notification