Low-Income Home Energy Assistance: States Cushioned Funding Cuts but Also ScaledBack Program Benefits

摘要

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to statesto assist eligible households in meeting the costs of home energy. Federal funding for LIHEAP decreased 31 percent between fiscal years 1986 and 1989, from $2.0 billion to $1.4 billion. Funding has remained at about $1.4 billion each for fiscal years 1990 and 1991. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers LIHEAP Authorizing legislation for LIHEAP requires that GAO periodically examine states' uses of funds. The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources, House Committee on Education and Labor, asked GAO to focus this review on state efforts to respond to federal LIHEAP funding cuts between fiscal years 1986 and 1989, and state actions to comply with certain key program requirements. GAO also agreed to obtain information on other types of energy assistance available in the states.