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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 12 Communication, Information and Reports Page 5 These resources must result in measurable home energy benefits to federally eligible households. Federally eligible households need not be EAP recipients. Leveraged resources must be coordinated and integrated with LIHEAP. Service Provider Responsibilities When requested, EAP Service Providers must submit a leveraging report to Commerce. If the Service Provider had no leveraging activity during the program year, they must report zero activity. The Leveraging Tracking Form (Appendix 12C) is an option for Service Providers to track their leveraging activities. Service Providers must coordinate with their energy vendors to ensure leveraging activities are reported by only one entity. For example, if a Service Provider contracts with an energy vendor for CIP activities, determine whether the energy vendor or the Service Provider will be reporting the amount. To maximize the leveraged resources in Minnesota, local EAP delivery Service Providers should identify programs within their communities related to LIHEAP. For example: • Coordinating with a homeless prevention program, a rental assistance program or a foreclosure prevention program may count as leveraging, if the eviction or foreclosure was caused by unaffordable energy bills and the household received heating assistance as part of an overall assistance package. • Programs within the communities providing energy assistance, such as the Urban League, community churches, local service clubs, and non-profit organizations. • State or local housing rehab programs that may include weatherization or conservation improvements. Examples of Leveraged Resources The majority of resources leveraged by state Service Providers come from state or local government funds and energy vendor low income financial assistance and weatherization programs. Other resources include landlords, weatherization suppliers, churches, charities and community groups, including fuel funds. Examples of funds eligible for leveraging include, but are not limited to: • In-kind contributions of energy related materials, fans, blankets, etc. • Local non-profit assistance, through churches, small community groups. • Energy vendor discounts on heating fuels. • Energy vendor discounts on weatherization materials. • In-kind services, such as furnace clean and tunes.