Date: April 28, 2008

Public invited to comment on how federal energy assistance dollars will be spent

RALEIGH – The public is invited to comment on how federal funds in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant will be spent next year.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides heating and cooling assistance, weatherization and crisis assistance funds to recipients who qualify. States are given broad latitude under block grant funding to design and operate their own programs, under certain restrictions. Last year, 318,870 North Carolina households were assisted using funds from this grant. This year’s block grant amount is estimated to be $47 million.

Anyone interested may review the LIHEAP Block Grant during the week of April 28 – May 2, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

• Any of the 100 county departments of social services
• The N.C. Division of Social Services, Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC, Room 819
•  On the web at www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/pubnotice/liheap.htm.

The public hearing will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room 1068 of the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC.   

Written comments will be accepted in each office listed above or by mail, postmarked by May 2, to:

Sherry S. Bradsher
LIHEAP Plan Comments
N.C. Division of Social Services
2420 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2420