3000     INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITIONS

The Heating Assistance Programs (HAPHeating Assistance Program) are designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well-being of Alaska's population by offsetting the cost of home heating for eligible Alaskan residents. Programs administered to support this mission are:

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program) for households with income up to 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

• Alaska Affordable Heating Program (AAHPAlaska Affordable Heating Program) for households with income above 150% and up to 225% of the federal poverty income guidelines.

• Subsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit (SRHUDSubsidized Rental Housing Utility Deposit) for households moving into subsidized housing where the heat is included in the rent but a deposit is needed for electric or general use gas service.

HAPHeating Assistance Program provides the financial assistance to help low-income households pay home heating costs by:

• making a one-time payment or an extension of credit to HAPHeating Assistance Program approved vendors on behalf of eligible households; or

• making a one-time direct payment to households whose heat is included in their current non-subsidized rental payment or required homeowners association or condominimium association dues, or to households who heat with purchased or self-harvested wood. See manual sections 3001-4C, 3007-1, and 3008-4B.

LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program is available to households with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines for Alaska. LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal government through the LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant, which is administered by the U.S.United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACFAdministration for Children and Families), Office of Community Services (OCSOffice of Community Services), and Division of Energy Assistance (DEADivision of Energy Assistance). In Alaska, LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds are administered by the Department of Health (DOHDepartment of Health), Division of Public Assistance (DPADivision of Public Assistance), and, in some areas, by tribal organizations under the authority of Title XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35). Federal statute can be found at 42 U.S.C. §8621-8630 (2008). Regulations governing LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program are in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRCode of Federal Regulations) at:

Title: 45 Public Welfare

Subtitle B of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

Chapter: Part 96 (Block Grants)

Subchapter: H (LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and A-F of the HHSHealth and Human Services Block Grant Regulations

Each state is responsible for implementing and administering these regulations.

LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program is authorized under Alaska Administrative Code (state regulations) at 7 AAC 44.010 – 7 AAC 44.090.

The Alaska Affordable Heating Program (AAHPAlaska Affordable Heating Program) assists households with income above 150% and up to 225% of the federal poverty income guidelines for Alaska. AAHPAlaska Affordable Heating Program is funded by the State of Alaska General Fund and administered by the Department of Health (DOHDepartment of Health), Division of Public Assistance (DPADivision of Public Assistance). AAHPAlaska Affordable Heating Program is authorized under AS 47.05.010 and AS 47.25.622-626 and implemented though state regulations at 7AAC 44.200 – 7 AAC 44.360. Several of the tribal organizations that administer LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program also administer AAHPAlaska Affordable Heating Program. They receive their funding through a state grant administered by HAPHeating Assistance Program.

This manual contains policies for state-administered HAPHeating Assistance Program only. Tribal organizations who administer LIHEAPLow Income Home Energy Assistance Program may choose to follow the HAPHeating Assistance Program policies and procedures but are not required to do so.