This request is for a new collection to gather grantee program design and implementation information related to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law No: 116-260) signed on December 27, 2020, included $638,000,000 in funding with instructions for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out grants to assist low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of household income for drinking water and wastewater services, by providing funds to owners or operators of public water systems or treatment works to reduce arrearages of and rates charged to such households for such services. As a result, ACF is planning a new program, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Congress appropriated an additional $500 million in stimulus funding for the program in the American Rescue Plan Act (Public Law No: 117-2) signed on March 11, 2021.
The Office of Community Services (OCS) will administer LIHWAP funds through the Division of Energy Assistance (DEA). Eligible entities include States, territories, and tribes that received a Low Income Household Energy Assistance program grant award for FY2021.
LIHWAP grantees have the flexibility to design certain policies and procedures related to the implementation of their LIHWAP programs in order to target the specific needs of their service population. Many of these policies and procedures must be reported to and approved by OCS prior to grantees making payments to operators of public water systems or treatment works on behalf of eligible households. The LIHWAP Plan is an important step in maintaining program integrity. Grantees must report on program design and be approved prior to making payments on behalf of eligible households.
Consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures, ACF requests approval for emergency processing for the LIHWAP Plan. The LIHWAP Plan is necessary for the program to meet its statutory obligations (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; Public Law No: 116-260 and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021; Public Law No: 117-2) which includes COVID-19 pandemic related emergency relief for individuals and families. The Department requests emergency OMB approval pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.13 in order for OCS to receive necessary information to provide LIHWAP grantees with funding in an effort to ensure households receive benefits as soon as possible to avoid disruption of services and to maintain continuity in accessing safe drinking water and wastewater services.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
COMM_LIHWAP_AT-2021-09 Model Plan CLEAN for OMB.docx
Attachment A Comments and OCS Responses_6.4.21.xlsx
LIHWAP Plan