13 Reduction of home energy needs,2605(b)(16) - Assurance 16

13.1 Describe how you use LIHEAP funds to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance? Assurance 16 services are provided through ten (10) local Human Resource Development Councils. Each administering agency targets client education activities for eligible households in accordance with annual work plans submitted by each Each work plan describes the eligible activity and then describes how the activity will be accomplished. All LIHEAP applicants are eligible for Assurance 16 activities. Examples of activities include: LIHEAP Eligible Households: Maintain a display rack of pamphlets about conservation; Public Service Commission regulations and the companies they regulate understanding "unbundled bills"; Consumer Credit Counseling, etc. Design, produce and distribute more extensive energy information to those households outlining general energy information, energ conservation information, and notifying if the availability of vendor discounts, low-cost/no-cost materials, emergency furnace repairs, and referrals resources. Design, produce and distribute more extensive energy information to those households who request additional information in the f newsletter. Referrals: Make appropriate referrals to programs about job training, retraining, housing, etc. to help applicants become more self-sufficient. Have work stations available for clients to review newspapers, use phones, practice computer skills, create resumes, and access intern research the availability of resources that may help them to become more self-sufficient. Give or send card confirming receipt of LIHEAP application and reinforcing awareness of responsibility for paying utility costs until Letter of Notification and after benefit has been exhausted and providing additional energy information. Other Activities: Encourage low income clients to participate in budget billing, to stay in contact with fuel vendors, and to make arrangements on acco Advocate when necessary. Make LIHEAP available starting in September to allow the deliverable fuel customers who receive LIHEAP benefits to purchase del when prices are lower. Information and education on reading the meter is provided. Information on fuel bill analysis is provided. Energy savings tips are provided. Information is provided on water heaters. Information on flushing the hot water tank is also provided. Collaborate with other non-profits to work with financially vulnerable individuals. Leveraging Additional Resources: •Work with vendors to develop, expand, modify and/or continue discounts relative to age, disability and/or low-income status. •Provide eligibility determination, referrals and notification to various vendors for low to moderate income households to receive a variety o fee waivers and emergency funding. Staff salary and fringe, telephone costs, postage, travel, and space costs to provide client education services. 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? One percent (1%) of available LIHEAP funds are contracted for Assurance 16 activities with contractors. These contracted activities are monitored as part of the department's monitoring activities. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Each administering agency targets client education activities for all eligible households in accordance with annual work plans submitted by e work plan describes the eligible activity and then describes how the activity will be accomplished. It is difficult to ascertain how many households benefited from the Assurance 16 services provided by the subgrantees (13.6 below) as inform provided at community events. Perceived program impacts: •Encouraged new LIHEAP applicants to apply •Provided energy education •Encouraged energy conservation •Promoted awareness of energy assistance resources •Facilitated referrals to other resources •Encouraged the use of budget billing •Provided awareness of potential LIHEAP eligibility •Provided awareness of Public Service Commission regulations and the companies they regulate •Provided understanding of "unbundled bills" •Provided awareness of Consumer Credit Counseling •Provided awareness of the availability of vendor discounts •Provided awareness of the availability of low-cost/no-cost materials •Provided awareness of assistance with emergency furnace repairs •Assisted applicants to become more self-sufficient •Encouraged applicants to use energy more efficiently •Provided education on how to read an energy meter •Increased awareness of the fuel bill, and increased awareness of energy usage. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. N/A 13.5 How many households received these services? 14440 If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.