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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

States fund an expanded range of activities under low-income home energy assistance block grant

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6501993
The low-income home energy assistance (LIHEA) block grant expanded states' flexibility and authority and permitted funds to be used for a broader range of activities not previously permitted. Unlike other block grants created under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, LIHEA received increased appropriations over the level established for the prior program to assist eligible households in meeting the costs of home energy. While heating assistance continued to account for the bulk of expenditures in most states, the majority of the 13 states GAO visited used their new authority to provide weatherization, transfer energy assistance funds to other block grants, and carry over funds to the following year. In addition, states gave increased emphasis to energy crisis assistance. Few changes were made to program management procedures. Overall, state executive and legislative branch officials found the block grant less burdensome and more desirable than the prior program. However, about half the interest groups viewed the block grant as a less desirable method of funding energy assistance programs.
Research Organization:
General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA). Office of the Comptroller General
OSTI ID:
6501993
Report Number(s):
GAO/HRD-84-64; ON: TI84901895
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English