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LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BLOCK GRANT ALLOCATION PLAN For Federal Fiscal Year 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is designed to help offset home energy costs of Connecticut's lower income households, specifically those households whose annual income falls at or below 60% of the state median income ($91,854 for a family of four in 2025).

CEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant. At the time of the development of this allocation plan, the funding level for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 has not been released. , The estimated budget used in this allocation plan for the operation of LIHEAP for FFY 2026 assumes that the program will be level funded at the state’s LIHEAP base grant FFY 2025 level of $81.7 million, plus an estimated $7.2 million in FFY 2025 LIHEAP carryforward funds, and $225,000 in LIHEAP vendor refunds, for a total estimated FFY 2026 budget of approximately $89.2 million. This constitutes the Department of Social Services’ best estimate of funding that may be available to support the LIHEAP Block Grant Allocation Plan (“the Plan”).

The Department of Social Services (DSS) and its operational partners at the nine Community Action Agencies (CAAs) will work in conjunction with local governments, private human services providers, energy providers, and the General Assembly’s committees of cognizance to assist Connecticut residents who are CEAP-eligible in maximizing potential energy assistance options.

As required by federal law, CEAP energy assistance benefits include the following:

1. Heating Benefits, including both a Basic Benefit and a Crisis Assistance Benefit component; and 2. Rental Assistance Benefits for renters with utility costs included in their rent.

Benefits available through CEAP vary to reflect need, cost, and/or energy burden. The FFY 2026 Plan is designed to provide the highest level of assistance to those households who have the lowest incomes, and the highest energy needs in relation to income, considering household size and vulnerability. DSS proposes to maintain the same benefit structure as in the FFY 2025 Allocation Plan.

The provision of assistance under CEAP is subject to the availability of funds. If funds provided for payments under the Plan are determined by the state to be in danger of exhaustion prior to the scheduled program end date, the state reserves the right to close the program or portions of the program. If federal funding is provided in an amount higher or lower than the level assumed under the Plan, program services and benefits may be adjusted. The Plan provides a framework for overall program operation. DSS will develop and implement policies and procedures to further define the rules of operation.