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E. Weatherization The LIHEAP Statute allows for the use of funds up to 15% for weatherization activities. A waiver process is available which increases the limit to 25%. DSSC/OCS chooses to budget 10% of the total grant for the purpose of residential weatherization as stated in The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DHSS/DSSC/OCS and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) under rules of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The Delaware Health & Social Services (DHSS) is the state recipient for the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant. The Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP) is administered, within DHSS, by the Office of Community Services (OCS), a section of the Division of State Service Centers (DSSC). DSSC is the division which also administers resources to assist families with emergency assistance and receives Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to assist families toward self-sufficiency. DEAP services complement the division’s other services in serving low-income recipients in the state.

A primary responsibility of the state OCS is to design and maintain the Delaware LIHEAP State Plan, annually outlining the use of LIHEAP funds. Since the LIHEAP block grant regulations are less comprehensive than other grants, it is incumbent on the state to devise its own detailed Plan that is effective, consistent and accountable. While the Plan must be structured to meet the sixteen (16) federal assurances, the manner in which the state complies with these assurances is largely up to Delaware.

A State Plan is submitted to the federal office each year, highlighting any changes and updates in the way the program is to be administered. Every three (3) years a “detailed” Plan is submitted which is more comprehensive description of the program.

See Reference Document -- DELAWARE LIHEAP STATE PLAN

102. ASSURANCES

This program manual details the manner in which the Delaware Energy Assistance Program will administer benefits within the sixteen (16) federal assurances, equitably delivering benefits on behalf of eligible households in an accessible and timely process that is accountable and effective. In summary, the state assures it will:

1. use the funds to assist households with services, including: regular fuel assistance, energy crisis intervention, outreach, weatherization and leveraging resources; 2. make energy benefit payments on behalf of financially eligible households; 3. make eligible households aware of the energy assistance benefits, and related assistance through outreach; 4. coordinate its activities with similar and related programs; 5. provide, in a timely manner, the highest level of assistance to those households which have the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs (energy burden);