Request for comments on extension of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the LIHEAP Application Requirements/Model Plan
THIS CONTAINS INFORMATION ISSUED BY THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION FOR
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN LIHEAP INFORMATION MEMORANDUM TRANSMITTAL
NO. LIHEAP-IM-2008-3, DATED 3/6/08
TO: LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
SUBJECT: Request for comments on extension of Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the
LIHEAP Application Requirements/Model Plan
RELATED Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act, Title
REFERENCES: XXVI of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1981, Public Law 97-35, as amended; notice of
request for comments on the proposed Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Application Requirements/Model Plan, as published
in the Federal Register on February 22, 2008
(73 FR 9816); LIHEAP-IM-2007-3, dated March 29,
2007 (Model Plan Application for LIHEAP Funding
for Fiscal Year 2008); OMB Control No. 0970-0075
(Expiration Date - 10/31/2008); and Section 3506
(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
PURPOSE: To request comments and suggestions on the
proposed Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Application Requirements/Model Plan.
BACKGROUND: Section 2605 of the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, as
amended, State, tribal and territorial entities
that wish to receive funding under the Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to submit
annually a plan/application containing certain
information in order to qualify for funding.
Section 2605(c)(3) of the LIHEAP statute also
requires that the Secretary make available to
grantees each year a "model state plan format"
that the grantees may use, at their option, to
provide this information.
Under the terms of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995, agencies must receive approval from the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each
information collection activity in which the same
questions(s) is asked of 10 or more persons, even
though the activity is required by statute in
order to qualify for funding. Section 3506(c)(2)
(A) of the 1995 Act also requires that the public
be given 60 days to comment on the specific
details of the information collection activity.
The current OMB approval for the LIHEAP
Application Requirements/Model Plan expires on
October 31, 2008 (OMB Control. No. 0970-0075).
CONTENT: On February 22, 2005, an information collection
notice was published in the Federal Register
(73 FR 9816) requesting comments and suggestions
about the Model Plan. States, including the
District of Columbia, Tribes, tribal organizations
and territories applying for LIHEAP block grant
funds must submit an annual application (Model
Plan) that meets the LIHEAP statutory requirements
prior to receiving Federal funds.
We are proposing to continue the streamlined
application process that has been in effect since
FY 1998. A Detailed Application must be submitted
every 3 years. Abbreviated Applications may be
submitted in alternate years. One form of the
application must be submitted each year. The
proposed Model Plan is similar to those of
previous years.
The LIHEAP Household Report, Carryover and
Reallotment Report, and certifications such as
the drug-free workplace requirements will still be
required. In addition, an opportunity for public
participation must be offered. States must also
hold a public hearing each year.
We make the Model Plans available on our website
on an ongoing basis. A copy of the Federal
Register notice, the instructions, and the
proposed Model Plan are attached.
Comments and suggestions received by April 22,
2008 (60 days after publication of the notice)
will be considered. At that time, the Model Plan
will be submitted to OMB for approval, along with
a summary of any comments received and actions
taken on them.
The Department specifically requests comments on:
(a) whether the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information; (c) the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information on
respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Please review the proposed Model Plan. All
comments and suggestions should be identified by
the title of the information collection, i.e.,
LIHEAP Model Plan, and be sent in writing to:
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Administration
Office of Information Services
370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW.
Washington, DC 20447
Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer
Email address: infocollection@acf.hhs.gov
ATTACHMENTS: (A) Federal Register Notice, Vol. 73, No. 36,
page 9816, published on February 22, 2008
(B) Detailed Model Plan Application for LIHEAP
Funding
(C) Abbreviated Model Plan Application for LIHEAP
Funding
INQUIRIES TO: Trudy Hairston, Program Specialist
Division of Energy Assistance
Office of Community Services, ACF, HHS
Telephone: (202) 401-4853
Fax: (202) 401-5661
E-mail: trudy.hairston@acf.hhs.gov
_______________/s______________
Nick St. Angelo
Director
Division of Energy Assistance
Office of Community Services
ATTACHMENT A
[Federal Register: February 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 36)]
[Notices]
[Page 9816]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22fe08-82]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request
Proposed Projects:
Title: Application Requirements for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Model Plan.
OMB No.: 0970-0075.
Description: States, including the District of Columbia, Tribes,
tribal organizations and territories applying for LIHEAP block grant
funds must submit an annual application (Model Plan) that meets the
LIHEAP statutory and regulatory requirements prior to receiving Federal
funds. A detailed application must be submitted every 3 years.
Abbreviated applications may be submitted in alternate years. There
have been no changes in the Model Plan.
Respondents: State Governments, Tribal Governments, Insular Areas,
the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Annual Burden Estimates
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Average
Instrument Number of responses per burden hours Total burden
respondents respondent per response hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detailed Model Plan............ 65 1 1 65
Abbreviated Model Plan......... 115 1 .33 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 103.
In compliance with the requirements of section 506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and
Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the
information collection described above. Copies of the proposed
collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded
by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of
Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade,
SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail
address: infocollection@acf.hhs.gov. All requests should be identified
by the title of the information collection.
The Department specifically requests comments on: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection
of information on respondents, including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted
within 60 days of this publication.
Dated: February 14, 2008.
Janean Chambers,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 08-796 Filed 2-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-M
