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Section 11 - Timely and Meaningful Public Participation, , 2605(b)(12) - Assurance 12, 2605(c)(2) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES August 1987, revised 05/92, 02/95, 03/96, 12/98, 11/01 OMB Clearance No.: 0970-013 Expiration Date: 02/28/2027

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(LIHEAP) MODEL PLAN

Section 11: Timely and Meaningful Public Participation, 2605(b)(12), 2605(C)(2)

11.1 How did you obtain input from the public in the development of your LIHEAP plan? Select all that apply. Note: Tribes do not need to hold a public hearing but must ensure participation through other means.

Tribal Council meeting(s)

Public Hearing(s)

Draft Plan posted to website and available for comment

Hard copy of plan is available for public view and comment

Comments from applicants are recorded

Request for comments on draft Plan is advertised

Stakeholder consultation meeting(s)

Comments are solicited during outreach activities

Other - Describe:

Comments regarding LIHEAP program administration may also be received via email, mail, or phone from the public, applicants, or employees throughout the year at any event or directly to the State office.

Public Hearings, 2605(a)(2) - For States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Only

11.2 List the date and location(s) that you held public hearing(s) on the proposed use and distribution of your LIHEAP funds? Date Event Description 1 09/24/2025 In person & via Zoom - FFY2026 LIHEAP Public Hearing, LHC Board Room, 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 2 07/09/2025 4 Regional LIHEAP Subgrantee Quarterly Calls 3 06/18/2025 Policy Advisory Council via Zoom with Housing LA, LWC, Subgrantees, & Utilities 4 09/17/2025 Policy Advisory Council via Zoom with Housing LA, LWC, Subgrantees, & Utilities

11.3. How many parties commented on your plan at the hearing(s)? 1

11.4 Summarize the comments you received at the hearing(s). One comment was received after the hearing in writing from the Alliance for Affordable Energy who attended the hearing. They proposed to keep the policy the same as previous years in regards to the Social Security Card requirement in order to lower barriers to participation in programs that help people save money.

11.5 What changes did you make to your LIHEAP plan as a result of public participation and solicitation of input?

No changes could be made to the new revised Social Security Card requirement due to a new State law. The only other option would be to implement a requirement of other legal documents that would verify citiizenship. Accepting the Social Security Number alone does not ensure compliance with the law.

If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in Page 29 of 55