The Administration for Children and Families Office of Community Services (OCS) is requesting to reinstate approval of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Quarterly Performance and Management Reports for three years. Changes are proposed to reduce redundancy and administrative burden for respondents.
OCS implemented LIHEAP quarterly reporting to help strengthen the program and improve our ability to highlight the impact LIHEAP is having on households across the program. The quarterly reports help OCS track key information in near real time. The responses to this information collection are required in order to obtain LIHEAP data in accordance with the LIHEAP statute (42 U.S.C. 8621). Previously, OCS did not receive comprehensive performance and management data until approximately three months after the end of each federal fiscal year. The LIHEAP Quarterly Report assists OCS in receiving data and information about LIHEAP during the federal fiscal year. This almost real time data is particularly important this year as LIHEAP grant recipients both administer historical levels of LIHEAP funding and develop and implement plans to reach the most vulnerable households amidst ongoing energy price increases. Now and in future years, these reports are address challenges in a timely manner.
OCS is requesting to continue use of quarterly reports, as the information collected is incredibly helpful in our administration and oversight of LIHEAP. Changes are proposed to reduce redundancy and administrative burden for LIHEAP grant recipients by including the primary data elements from the separate LIHEAP Carryover and Reallotment Report (CRR; OMB #: 0970-0106). The federal LIHEAP statute requires all grant recipients requesting carryover to explain why they wish to carryover and how they intend to use such carryover funds in the next year (42 U.S.C. 8626(b)(2)(A)). Once approved, ACF will discontinue OMB #: 0970-0106. Quarterly reports for all four quarters will continue to be due approximately 30 days following the end of each respective quarter.
In addition, OCS has incorporated the statutorily required elements from the CRR (OMB #: 0970-0106) to the quarters 3 and 4 reports.
This request is to reinstate approval for an additional three years, with changes incorporated. ACF proposes several small changes to the LIHEAP Quarterly Report that affect Section III of the Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 reports. The changes to section III involve inclusion of the primary data elements from the separate LIHEAP CRR (OMB #: 0970-0106), which ACF wishes to discontinue use of in favor of only obtaining such data through the LIHEAP Quarterly Report. Section III would more clearly distinguish âcarryoverâ fund estimated (Quarter 3) and final amounts (Quarter 4) from âreallotmentâ fund estimated and final amounts. The Quarter 3 and 4 section III also includes a âremarksâ field for grant recipients to complete only if they are indicating a request to carryover funds to obligate in the next FFY.
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.