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? Households are offered help addressing their need for energy assistance. Participants must have received a LIHEAP grant to participate. Through casework and coaching, households are guided on ways to reduce their energy usage and improve their financial stability. 13.2 How do you ensure that you don't use more than 5% of your LIHEAP funds for these activities? Assurance 16 funds are earmarked in the Community Action Agency contracts so that no more than 5% is allocated. The amount is obligated in the subrecipients contracts and the subrecipients submit a monthly A-16 invoice for program expenses. RI plans to obligate 2% or less in FFY 2026. 13.3 Describe the impact of such activities on the number of households served in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Participants have appliance and weatherization audits. A caseworker assists them with energy saving and household budget strategies. Resume writing/applying for jobs, career planning, and information about free or affordable training programs are provided to all household members. 13.4 Describe the level of direct benefits provided to those households in the previous federal Fiscal Year. Direct benefits for participating households in FFY 2025, included weatherization audits of their homes. All participating households are LIHEAP clients so they receive the LIHEAP primary heating grant and can be eligible for heating crisis grants. Households receive a $60 gift card to a home improvement or grocery store upon completion of each tier (energy savings, financial education, and workforce are the three tiers). 13.5 How many households received these services? 170 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.