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First Release of 2012 LIHEAP Funds !
The Office of Community Services announced that It is releasing up to $1.853 Billion for the first quarter of 2012 immediately, a sum far greater than the 13.4% that would be released under a strict interpretation of the CR. Any state that requested 95% or less of its allocation for the first quarter may receive that share of its allocation calculated on a $1.98 Billion regular LIHEAP program. That was the level the President requested for the formula program. To receive the award, the state LIHEAP plan must be 'complete' as determined by OCS. NCAF does not have the list of states with complete plans yet. $1.717 billion is available immediately, and a "cushion" of $136 million will enable states to ask for up to 95% of their allocation for the year if needed.
Both the Senate Labor-HHS pending bill and the House Subcommittee draft bill appropriate $3.4 billion to LIHEAP. 95% of that level would have been more than $3.2 billion. We expect to have more detail and to post the state dollar allocations on Monday; meanwhile, this news should allow hard-pressed frontline agencies the authority to open their doors to their hard-pressed energy consumers. 
David Bradley Executive Director National Community Action Foundation |
