1
 See References in Text note below.
that seek to reduce home energy costs, minimize the risks of home energy crisis, and encourage regular payments by individuals receiving financial assistance for home energy costs;
2
 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
evaluate the expenditures by States of grants under this subchapter in order to assure that expenditures are consistent with the provisions of this subchapter and to determine the effectiveness of the State in accomplishing the purposes of this subchapter.
Editorial Notes
References in Text

The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(A)(i), (ii), (4), (i)(1), and (j), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act is classified generally to part A (§ 601 et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 7 of this title. Titles XVI, XIX, and XX of the Social Security Act are classified generally to subchapters XVI (§ 1381 et seq.), XIX (§ 1396 et seq.), and XX (§ 1397 et seq.) of chapter 7 of this title, respectively. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of this title and Tables.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(A)(iii) and (f)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 88–525, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§ 2011 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2011 of Title 7 and Tables.

Section 306 of the Veterans’ and Survivors’ Pension Improvement Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv), is section 306 of Pub. L. 95–588, title III, Nov. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 2508, which is set out as a note under section 521 of Title 38, Veterans’ Benefits.

Subtitle B of title VI, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3), (4), and (j), is subtitle B of title VI of Pub. L. 97–35, § 671 et seq., Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 511, known as the Community Services Block Grant Act, which is classified generally to chapter 106 (§ 9901 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9901 of this title and Tables.

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, referred to in subsecs. (b)(3), (4), (6), and (j), is Pub. L. 88–452, Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 508, which was classified generally to chapter 34 (§ 2701 et seq.) of this title prior to repeal, except for titles VIII and X, by Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 683(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 519. Titles VIII and X of the Act are classified generally to subchapters VIII (§ 2991 et seq.) and X (§ 2996 et seq.) of chapter 34 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Energy Conservation and Production Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is Pub. L. 94–385, Aug. 14, 1976, 90 Stat. 1142. Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act is classified principally to subchapter III (§ 6851 et seq.) of chapter 81 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6801 of this title and Tables.

This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(D), was in the original “this Act” and was translated as reading “this title”, meaning title XXVI of Pub. L. 97–35, known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Codification

In subsec. (b)(6), “August 12, 1981” substituted for “the day before the date of the enactment of this Act”, which date of enactment is Aug. 13, 1981.

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (f)(2)(A). Pub. L. 113–79 inserted before semicolon “, except that, for purposes of the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), such payments or allowances were greater than $20 annually, consistent with section 5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)), as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture”.

2008—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (E), (2)(EE), substituted “supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits” for “food stamps” and “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008” for “Food Stamp Act of 1977”.

Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(E), (2)(EE), substituted “supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits” for “food stamps”.

Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(EE), substituted “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008” for “Food Stamp Act of 1977” in introductory provisions.

1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(1)(C), (D), struck out “The Secretary may not prescribe the manner in which the States will comply with the provisions of this subsection.” in provisions after par. (14) and inserted identical language before “The Secretary shall issue” in concluding provisions after par. (16).

Subsec. (b)(9)(A). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(1)(A), struck out “and not transferred pursuant to section 8623(f) of this title for use under another block grant” before the semicolon.

Subsec. (b)(14). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(1)(B), struck out “and” at end.

Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(2)(A), substituted “State” for “States”.

Subsec. (c)(1)(G)(i). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(2)(B), substituted “had” for “has”.

Subsec. (k)(1), (2)(A). Pub. L. 105–285, § 306(3), inserted before period at end “, particularly those low-income households with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy”.

1996—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 104–193 amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “aid to families with dependent children under the State’s plan approved under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (other than such aid in the form of foster care in accordance with section 408 of such Act);”.

1995—Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–66 struck out “(but not less frequently than every three years),” after “from time to time”.

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–252, § 311(c)(4), transferred the sentence immediately preceding par. (15) to appear as a flush sentence immediately after par. (16).

Pub. L. 103–252, § 311(b), inserted at end “Not later than 18 months after May 18, 1994, the Secretary shall develop model performance goals and measurements in consultation with State, territorial, tribal, and local grantees, that the States may use to assess the success of the States in achieving the purposes of this subchapter. The model performance goals and measurements shall be made available to States to be incorporated, at the option of the States, into the plans for fiscal year 1997. The Secretary may request data relevant to the development of model performance goals and measurements.”

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–252, § 305(a), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “use the funds available under this subchapter for the purposes described in section 8621(a) of this title and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter, and agrees not to use such funds for any payments other than payments specified in this section;”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 103–252, § 306(a), in concluding provisions substituted “except that a State may not exclude a household from eligibility in a fiscal year solely on the basis of household income if such income is less than 110 percent of the poverty level for such State, but the State may give priority to those households with the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to household income;” for “except that no household may be excluded from eligibility under this subclause for payments under this subchapter for fiscal year 1986 and thereafter if the household has an income which is less than 110 percent of the poverty level for such State for such fiscal year”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 103–252, §§ 306(b), 311(c)(3), substituted “disabled” for “handicapped” and “and households with high home energy burdens, are made aware” for “are made aware”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 103–252, § 306(c), inserted “or needs” after “highest energy costs”.

Subsec. (b)(7)(D). Pub. L. 103–252, § 311(a)(1), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: “assure that any home energy supplier receiving direct payments agrees not to discriminate, either in the cost of the goods supplied or the services provided, against the eligible household on whose behalf payments are made;”.

Subsec. (b)(9)(B). Pub. L. 103–252, § 305(b)(1), inserted before semicolon at end “(except for the costs of the activities described in paragraph (16))”.

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 103–252, § 307(1), substituted “and provide that the State will comply with the provisions of chapter 75 of title 31 (commonly known as the ‘Single Audit Act’)” for “and provide that at least every two years the State shall prepare an audit of its expenditures of amounts received under this subchapter and amounts transferred to carry out the purposes of this subchapter”.

Subsec. (b)(16). Pub. L. 103–252, § 305(b)(2), (3), added par. (16).

Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103–252, § 308, inserted before semicolon at end “, including any steps the State will take to address the weatherization and energy-related home repair needs of households that have high home energy burdens, and describes any rules promulgated by the Department of Energy for administration of its Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program which the State, to the extent permitted by the Secretary to increase consistency between federally assisted programs, will follow regarding the use of funds provided under this subchapter by the State for such weatherization and energy-related home repairs and improvements”.

Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 103–252, § 306(d)(2), added subpar. (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (F).

Subsec. (c)(1)(F). Pub. L. 103–252, §§ 306(d)(1), 309(1), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F), substituted “(13), and (15)” for “and (13)”, and struck out “and” at end. Former subpar. (F) redesignated (H).

Subsec. (c)(1)(G). Pub. L. 103–252, § 309(2), added subpar. (G).

Subsec. (c)(1)(H). Pub. L. 103–252, § 306(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (F) as (H).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–252, § 307(2), substituted “in accordance with chapter 75 of title 31” for “at least every two years by an organization or person independent of any agency administering activities under this subchapter. The audits shall be conducted in accordance with the Comptroller General’s standards for audit of governmental organizations, programs, activities, and functions. Within 30 days after completion of each audit, the chief executive officer of the State shall submit a copy of the audit to the legislature of the State and to the Secretary”.

1991—Subsec. (b)(2)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 102–83 substituted “section 1315, 1521, 1541, or 1542 of title 38” for “section 415, 521, 541, or 542 of title 38”.

1990—Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 101–501, § 704(a)(1), inserted “timely and meaningful” after “provide for”.

Subsec. (b)(15). Pub. L. 101–501, § 704(a)(2)–(4), added par. (15) at end.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 101–501, § 704(b), inserted “timely and meaningful” after “will facilitate”.

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101–501, § 705, designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (2), not” for “Not”, and added par. (2).

1986—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 99–425, § 504(a), substituted “in a timely manner” for “in a manner consistent with the efficient and timely payment of benefits”.

Subsec. (b)(14) to (17). Pub. L. 99–425, § 504(b), redesignated cl. (17) as (14), and struck out former cls. (14) to (16) which read as follows:

“(14) describe the procedures by which households in the State are identified as eligible to participate under this subchapter and the manner in which the State determines benefit levels;

“(15) describe the amount that the State will reserve in accordance with section 8623(c) of this title in each fiscal year for energy crisis intervention activities together with the administrative procedures (A) for designating an emergency, (B) for determining the assistance to be provided in any such emergency, and (C) for the use of funds reserved under such section for the purposes under this subchapter in the event any portion of the amount so reserved is not expended for emergencies.

“(16) describe energy usage and the average cost of home energy in the State, identified by type of fuel and by region of the State;”.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 99–425, § 504(c), revised provisions relating to requirements for State plans, restating as subpars. (A) to (F), provisions of former subpars. (A) to (E).

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 99–425, § 504(d), added par. (3).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–425, § 504(e), designated existing provisions as par. (1), substituted “provided directly to, or indirectly for the benefit of” for “provided to”, and added par. (2).

1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(9), inserted at end “The Secretary shall issue regulations to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the programs assisted by this subchapter.”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(1), substituted “section” for “subsection”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(2), inserted “except that no household may be excluded from eligibility under this subclause for payments under this subchapter for fiscal year 1986 and thereafter if the household has an income which is less than 110 percent of the poverty level for such State for such fiscal year”.

Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(3), inserted “, except that the State may not differentiate in implementing this section between the households described in clause (2)(A) and (2)(B) of this subsection”.

Subsec. (b)(7)(C). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(4), substituted “adversely” for “any differently”.

Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(5), designated existing provisions as subpar. (B) and added subpar. (A).

Subsec. (b)(9)(A). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(6), in amending subpar. (A) generally, struck out “in each fiscal year” before “the State may” and substituted “for a fiscal year and not transferred pursuant to section 8623(f) of this title for use under another block grant” for “for such fiscal year”.

Subsec. (b)(10). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(7), substituted “every two years” for “every year”.

Subsec. (b)(14) to (17). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(a)(8), which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by adding pars. (14) to (17) at the end thereof, was executed by adding those pars. after par. (13) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(b)(1), in amending par. (1) generally, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpars. (B) to (E).

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(b)(2), inserted “and each substantial revision thereof” and “or substantial revision” at the end.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(c), in amending subsec. (d) generally, substituted provisions that the State shall expend funds in accordance with the State plan or revisions thereto for former provisions which related to waiver of requirements.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(d), in amending subsec. (e) generally, inserted provisions requiring that the audits be made public and that they shall be conducted in accordance with the Comptroller General’s standards.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(e), inserted “unless enacted in express limitation of this paragraph”.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–558, § 605(f), inserted “(but not less frequently than every three years)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 113–79 effective 30 days after Feb. 7, 2014 and applicable with respect to certification periods that begin after that date, with State option to delay implementation for current recipients of standard utility allowance, see section 4006(c) of Pub. L. 113–79, set out as a note under section 2014 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.

Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (E), (2)(EE) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–193 effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of this title.

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–252 effective Oct. 1, 1994, see section 314 of Pub. L. 103–252, set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 101–501 effective Oct. 1, 1990, see section 1001(a) of Pub. L. 101–501, set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 504(a)–(d) of Pub. L. 99–425 not applicable with respect to any fiscal year beginning in or before the 60-day period ending on Oct. 1, 1986, and amendment by section 504(e) effective Oct. 1, 1986, see section 1001 of Pub. L. 99–425, set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–558 effective on first day of first fiscal year beginning after Oct. 30, 1984, see section 609(b) of Pub. L. 98–558, set out as a note under section 8621 of this title.

Clarification on Utility Allowances

Pub. L. 102–550, title IX, § 927, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3885, as amended by Pub. L. 103–185, § 1, Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2244, provided that:

“(a)
Eligibility.—
Tenants who—
“(1)
are responsible for making out-of-pocket payments for utility bills; and
“(2)
receive energy assistance through utility allowances that include energy costs under programs identified in subsection (c);
shall not have their eligibility or benefits under other programs designed to assist low-income people with increases in energy costs since 1978 reduced or eliminated, except as provided in subsection (d).
“(b)
Equal Treatment in Benefit Programs.—
Tenants described in subsection (a) shall be treated identically with other households eligible for or receiving energy assistance, including in the determination of the home energy costs for which they are individually responsible and in the determination of their incomes for any program in which eligibility or benefits are based on need, except as provided in subsection (d).
“(c)
Applicability.—
This section applies to programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.], the National Housing Act [12 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], section 101 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 [12 U.S.C. 1701s], section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 [12 U.S.C. 1701q], and title V of the Housing Act of 1949 [42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.].
“(d)
Special Rule for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.—
For purposes of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, tenants described in subsection (a)(2) who are responsible for paying some or all heating or cooling costs shall not have their eligibility automatically denied. A State may consider the amount of the heating or cooling component of utility allowances received by tenants described in subsection (a)(2) when setting benefit levels under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The size of any reduction in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits must be reasonably related to the amount of the heating or cooling component of the utility allowance received and must ensure that the highest level of assistance will be furnished to those households with the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs in relation to income, taking into account family size, in compliance with section 2605(b)(5) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8624(b)(5)).”