Assurance 16: States and Territories

Assurance 16 (A-16) services are structured to encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy usage and ultimately their dependence on energy assistance. Assurance 16 activities may include needs assessments, counseling referrals to other services, education programs on ways to save energy and to implement household budgeting. All A-16 programs feature classes on energy efficiency in the home. Presentations may be by Weatherization staff. Education is provided on ways to save money on utility bills, such as using LED light bulbs and managing thermostat settings.

Case Management Activities (CMA) will be targeted toward Crisis applicants and also, when deemed appropriate and necessary, will include recipients of regular benefits. AEO is considering implementing standardization of A-16 services, which includes requirements focusing on energy conservation/savings practices.

Local Service Providers address the energy needs of low-income households by conducting a thorough energy needs assessment of each client, providing budget counseling, energy conservation education, and coordination with utility companies. Whenever possible, weatherization services are also provided to offer a preventive, holistic and long-term solution to energy needs.

Local Service Providers maintain a source document that substantiates that the client was provided these services. The document is kept on file by the contractor and is reviewed during routine program evaluation.

First State Community Action Agency (FSCAA), Delaware's designated anti-poverty agency, administers two programs focused on energy assistance for low-income residents. Funded by the Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Replacing/Repairing Heaters & Conserving Energy Program (RRHACE) and the Summer Cooling Assistance Program (SCAP) aim to both alleviate the financial burden of energy costs and promote energy conservation practices. A core component of both programs is Assurance 16 Energy Education, which empowers vulnerable populations in Delaware to make informed choices regarding energy consumption. FSCAA leverages Assurance 16 funding to support a dedicated Energy Educator who plays a pivotal role in empowering RRHACE and SCAP program participants. The Energy Educator's responsibilities encompass a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency, including:

1. Conducting initial home energy audits: This entails a thorough assessment of household energy consumption patterns and usage behaviors to identify areas for improvement.
2. Establishing baseline energy consumption: By determining a baseline, the program can accurately track and measure the impact of implemented energy-saving strategies.
3. Providing personalized energy-saving consultations: Through one-on-one counseling, the Energy Educator identifies specific behaviors contributing to high energy costs and guides participants towards more efficient practices.
4. Distributing and demonstrating Energy Conservation Kits (EcoKits): EcoKits equip households with energy-saving products and educational materials. The Energy Educator provides instruction on their use and potential impact.
5. Optimizing HVAC efficiency: For households receiving new HVAC equipment, the educator provides guidance on proper operation and maintenance to maximize energy savings.
6. Facilitating EcoKit installation and impact assessment: The Energy Educator can assist with installing EcoKit materials and educate families about their direct effect on energy consumption.
7. Offering budget counseling: This service can help participants manage energy costs more effectively, reducing the risk of late fees, disconnections, and reconnection charges.
8. Connecting families with additional resources: The Energy Educator provides referrals and one-on-one support to help participants navigate and access other non-LIHEAP resources that may be beneficial.
9. Tracking and visualizing energy savings: Periodically generating and reviewing Energy Report Cards allows participants to see the positive impact of their energy-saving efforts through easy-to-understand infographics. To broaden the reach of energy education, the Energy Educator facilitates community-based workshops tailored to diverse demographics within low-income communities. FSCAA prioritizes accessibility, offering workshops via Zoom and/or phone calls to accommodate all applicants. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, FSCAA will amplify its focus on interactive workshops targeting specific population segments. This year's workshops will prioritize engaging seniors and youth already participating in other FSCAA, DHSS, and community partner programs. These interactive sessions will focus on promoting energy-saving behaviors relevant to their specific needs.

• Include information on level payment plans during energy education, targeted to vulnerable populations and fixed income participants;
• In-home energy education to support installation of utility-provided kit materials;
• Purchase of low cost/no cost energy conservation items for non-regulated electric utility customers;
• Leverage supplemental payments for participants who were unable to obtain their LIHEAP benefits;
• Referral to the Weatherization Assistance Program;
• Referral to available utility-funded energy conservation programs/services; and
• Advocacy on behalf of households with home energy vendor to prevent disconnection.

The Department will continue considering households categorically eligible if one household member receives SNAP, TANF Cash and AABD Cash

benefits in the previous month from the date of application. Categorical eligibility is used for Weatherization program. Households receiving public assistance must meet the annual income guidelines of up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Indiana uses LIHEAP funds to conduct Family Development and Energy Education. Family Development provides low-income households with short-term and long-term case management. Clients set goals and receive referrals for education, budgeting, home energy assessments, employment, child care, and a range of other self-sufficiency tools. EAP clients may also receive energy education which focuses mainly on energy conservation techniques. Some LSPs have given pre-test and post-tests to households to determine how the client's energy education knowledge changed after receiving energy education.

For FFY2025, we are changing our model and are not allowing all LSPs to budget a portion of their subaward to Assurance 16 activities. Instead, all interested LSPs have submitted a proposal on how they intend to perform and measure and report the impact of Assurance 16- allowable activities, including their budget for these activities and the associated reporting. IHCDA will approve plans that appear likely to achieve a demonstrable impact and allow for reporting metrics.

Allowable activities using Assurance 16 funds include:

• Conservation Education
  • Printing and furnishing information about how to reduce energy usage (e.g., workshops, handouts, brochures, etc.)
  • How to obtain energy efficiency services (e.g., referrals)
  • One-on-one energy education
• Conservation Education materials are required to be distributed to all households applying for LIHEAP, including crisis applications.
• Low-Cost Energy Efficiency Measures Examples include: plastic, heating unit filters, energy kits, etc.
• Vendor Advocacy Helping the client effectively communicate with the vendor to maintain service, etc.
• Needs Assessment and Referral Reviewing the client’s case record and identifying the most appropriate referrals
• Financial Counseling Working with the client to improve financial management skills and proactively manage energy bills
• Case Management – Short Term Developing information and materials about services available to LIHEAP clients Developing an understanding of a client’s needs and offering counseling during LIHEAP intake
• Case Management – Long Term Developing a curriculum and training materials for service delivery Working with clients on energy education and/or financial counseling over an extended time period.

Subgrantees may submit annual proposals for MaineHousing's consideration, describing their planned activities and expenses associated with providing services to applicants pursuant to Assurance 16 of the HEAP Act. Assurance 16 funds may only be used to fund activities that encourage and enable eligible households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance. 

Only LIHEAP eligible households may receive Assurance 16 services. The services being funded by Assurance 16 must be energy related and may include family development case management and education activities. Subgrantees are required to have proper fiscal controls to ensure the LIHEAP funds are expended proportional to the overall funding sources using proper cost allocation methodology. There must be proper documentation of participation and a methodology to measure outcomes from the Assurance 16 activities. 

Salaries and benefit costs for any staff providing services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance are allowable. Additionally, direct costs associated with providing these services, including supplies, equipment, postage, utilities, rental office space, and travel costs incurred for official business are also allowable. 

Services that are already provided as part of the delivery of other federal programs cannot be charged to Assurance 16. Examples:

• Working with an electric utility to forestall a shut-off as part of providing an Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) benefit cannot be charged to Assurance 16 because this activity is already required and funded under ECIP.
• Outreach/Intake services, regardless of where they are provided, or who (which staff member/position) provides them, cannot be charged to Assurance 16. These activities are already required under HEAP fuel assistance, and therefore, do not provide an additional benefit to eligible households.
• Mailed out applications are not allowed to be charged to Assurance 16.
• Indirect charges cannot be charged to Assurance 16.
• Client referrals to other programs or resources that are not related to clients' home energy needs or do not reflect an additional net benefit for the client.

In accordance with LIHEAP regulations and pending availability of funds, LAAs provide program related services such as: needs assessment, budget counseling, energy education/awareness and vendor relations as part of the ongoing servicing of eligible households. These services, under Assurance 16 of the LIHEAP statute, are directed towards households that may be in financial/energy crisis requiring individual attention beyond the standard course of action. 

DHCD encourages working with utilities on issues impacting users, particularly elders, expanding education, awareness efforts, and referrals. DHCD monitors Assurance 16 activities conducted by LAAs through annual contracting and monitoring process to ensure compliance with funding requirements.

Assurance 16 funding will be allocated to the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) so that households applying for crisis assistance can receive Assurance 16 services to assist with the reduction of energy costs and their need for assistance. Michigan Public Act of 2012 states, "Energy assistance must include services that will enable participants to become or move toward becoming self-sufficient, including assisting participants in paying their energy bills on time, assisting participants in budgeting for and contributing to their ability to provide for energy expenses, and assisting participants in utilizing energy services to optimize on energy efficiency." 

Allowable self-sufficiency expenditures are included in theMEAP manual and include needs assessment, budgeting assistance, energy education, and providing assistance to households to enroll in affordable payment plans offered by their energy provider(s). 

Households who receive weatherization services may also receive Assurance 16 services, as part of the WAP.

Minnesota uses LIHEAP funds to provide services that encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs and thereby the need for energy assistance. Commerce refers to supported activities as “Assurance 16 (A16).” A16 allowable activities include:

• Budget counseling
• Energy conservation education
• Facilitation of household negotiations for budget payments
• Advocacy with fuel suppliers on behalf of households
• Household energy assessments
• Referrals
• Case management

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 agency. 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, energy conservation information, and notifying if the availability of vendor discounts, low-cost/no-cost materials, emergency furnace repairs, and referrals to other resources.
• Design, produce and distribute more extensive energy information to those households who request additional information in the form of a 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 internet websites to 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 receipt of 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 accounts in arears.
• Advocate when necessary.
• Make LIHEAP available starting in September to allow the deliverable fuel customers who receive LIHEAP benefits to purchase deliverable fuel 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. 

Income Tax Assistance/Asset Development: 

• Promote awareness of Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits and credits for energy efficiency upgrades to promote self-sufficiency.
• Make work stations available with appropriate software for people to prepare their own income tax returns to promote self-sufficiency.
• Host a VISTA volunteer to work with financially vulnerable individuals to build assets and to reduce the incidence of predatory lending.
• Efforts will include providing financial education, access to mainstream credit and ongoing financial mentoring.
• Provide "Free to Choo$e" (financial literacy class) participants with energy education materials.
• Provide support for "Free to Choo$e" financial literacy class.
• Operate a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site to assist low to moderate income applicants in preparing their income tax return and to receive tax credits to which they are entitled.

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 of discounts, fee waivers and emergency funding.
• Staff salary and fringe, telephone costs, postage, travel, and space costs to provide client education services.

In order to comply with Section 2605(b)(16) of the LIHEAP statute (42 U.S.C & 8624(b)(16))-Assurance 16, Development will provide a maximum of 5% of the total annual State of Ohio LIHEAP allocation to encourage and enable households to reduce their home energy needs.

Funding is available annually through a request for proposal process. Applications will be received and reviewed on a first come, first served basis during the open application period. The request for proposal will outline the following:

• Duration of program (Annual award vs. One-time)
• Requested funding amount, uses and any leveraged resources
• Description of the project and how the project will reduce the household’s energy burden
• Anticipated outcomes
• Methodologies for tracking outcomes If the applicant is awarded funds, they will be required to report on the number of households served and the impact on those households (including pre- and post-testing, client survey responses, etc.). Examples of how LIHEAP funds have been provided through Assurance 16 includes the following: The Breathing Association – Provides energy efficiency education and assessments, energy saving referrals and energy saving kits through its mobile medical unit and lung clinic and currently served 1,392 households.
• HARCATUS Tri-County Community Action Organization – Provides energy needs assessments, referrals for energy efficiency services and energy efficiency kits and currently served 92 households.
• Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission – Provides energy efficiency education, home assessments and kits, and currently served 308 households.
• Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership – Provides energy efficiency education, energy efficiency audits with 60-day reviews, and energy efficiency kits and currently served 92 households.
• Ohio Energy Partners – Provides energy efficiency education and energy efficiency kits through its E3 smart program that works with classrooms (students and teachers) in under served regions in Ohio and currently served 1,317 households.
• West Ohio Community Action Partnership – Provides energy efficiency education, energy efficiency assessments, energy efficiency kits, Case Management, Energy and financial counseling.
• Clean Energy 4 All – Provided energy efficiency education, energy efficiency audits, program referrals for household efficiency improvements and oversight of the improvements.

Some agencies offer specific classes to clients to help reduce the energy burden, but we do not collect their attendance data. Energy saver flyers are provided to clients and one on one counseling takes place. Sub-grantees conduct Assurance 16 activities at their local agency. Examples are as follows: 

• Provide energy conservation education in the form of Calendars, pamphlets and fact sheets at the time of application intake. This material will encourage energy conservation and provide the Low Income Home Energy Assistance client with the knowledge to reduce their home energy cost.
• Provide energy saving videos in lobby while waiting to be assisted and given energy guides. One on one measures will be spoken about to the beneficiary. A survey of this year’s beneficiaries to measure the effectiveness of last years measures.
• Partner with Green Spaces (local energy efficiency educator) to reduce energy usage. Green Spaces will conduct monthly workshops to those interested in reducing energy costs in their homes. 

We are focusing on Financial Case Management, Energy Conservation Education and Energy Saver Kits.

Each local agency has the option to provide conservation education to applicants. This can occur during the intake process, through a group work shop, or an in home visit. Local agencies provide their conservation plan in their annual application to provide LIHEAP services which Commerce approves. Any conservation education services provided are done so equitably to all households served. Conservation education services include but are not limited to:

• Energy conservation education classes
• Informational videos
• Handouts/flyers
• Energy conservation kits
• Review and education of household’s energy usage and costs
• Hands on conservation exhibits
• In home visits in conjunction with weatherization home energy efficiency assessments
• Engaging with the Utilities and Transportation Commission on rate cases
• Educating legislative staff on the energy issues faced by our shared customers

The State of Wisconsin may, through contract with local LIHEAP providers and/or under contract with the Wisconsin Community Action Program and/or through arrangements with other service providers, engage in the following activities:

1. Budget counseling, energy conservation training, co-payment agreements, advocacy with fuel suppliers, household energy assessments and referrals.
2. Support for services provided by leveraged funds. These services will include those provided under regular crisis assistance, but only when non-federal funds are used toward co-payments, etc.
3. Intensive case management targeted to households selected from those as "high heating costs compared to household income" and "high heating costs for dwelling type”.
4. Educational classes may be offered through third-party contract agencies, utilities, state staff, or other qualified individuals.