16 Performance Goals and Measures, 2605(b)

16.1 Describe your progress toward meeting the data collection and reporting requirements of the four required LIHEAP (Benefit Targeting Index, Burden Reduction Targeting Index, Restoration of Home Energy Service, and Prevention of Loss of Home Energy Service). Include timeframes and plans for meeting these requirements and what you believe will be accomplished in the coming federal fiscal year. West Virginia will collect and report on LIHEAP performance measures data to ensure that the Agency is targeting and serving and providing bill payment assistance to households with the highest energy burden. The Agency will concentrate on restoration and prevention of loss, energy source, energy burden, income, and imminent risk of running out of fuel. West Virginia has defined “Imminent Risk” as being without, disconnected, or within three days of being without heat. The Agency’s eligibility system currently collects annual household income, annual LIHEAP benefit, main fuel type and whether the client must pay for electricity or electric services. The Agency is also working with the major PSC-regulated utility vendors to capture annual energy usage (if applicable), prevention of loss and restoration of service. West Virginia will also work with the 54 local offices to ensure that workers complete all the LIHEAP screens correctly in our eligibility system and that they are documenting this information correctly. From our past Statewide Single Audits, it was noted that workers did not keep copies of the utility bills for all case files, or a portion of the LIHEAP application was not properly stored in our online database. We are taking measures to improve this based on training and desk guides for our eligibility workers. West Virginia DoHS will work more closely with the WV Department of Economic Development Office and give assistance to their Community Service agencies to make sure that relationships between the two agencies work more efficiently and can assist West Virginians with the best assistance that can be given to needy families. WV will work with APPRISE and our IT contractor to resolve any reporting deficiencies in FY25. 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.