Press Releases

08/25/2020

Updated 8/25/20 - Notice of Informational Forum/Public Hearing Regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Allocation Plans

Updated 8/25/20

Notice of Informational Forum/Public Hearing Regarding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) And The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Allocation Plans

The committees of cognizance for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) have scheduled an Informational Forum on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. regarding the block grant allocation plans listed below.  To access the livestream of the virtual informational forum and committee meetings, please visit CT-N.com. The forum will also serve as the Department’s public hearing on these plans. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments. Comments should be emailed to the Committees in Word or PDF format as follows:

• CSBG: APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov; HStestimony@cga.ct.gov

• CSBG CARES Act Amendment: APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov; HStestimony@cga.ct.gov

• LIHEAP: APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov; HStestimony@cga.ct.gov; and ETtestimony@cga.ct.gov

Immediately following the informational forum, committee meetings will be held in accordance with CSG 4-28b to take action on the allocation plans.

Community Services Block Grant Allocation Plan – Federal Fiscal Year 2021 & Notice and Request for Comments on CSBG CARES Act Supplemental Award Amendment

Community Services Block Grant Allocation Plan – Federal Fiscal Year 2021

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its administrative agency, the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services.  The Connecticut Department of Social Services is designated as the principal state agency for the allocation and administration of the block grant within the state of Connecticut.

There are currently nine Community Action Agencies (CAA) and one Limited Purpose Agency that qualify for CSBG funding in Connecticut.  Each CAA has a specified service area.  In Connecticut, CSBG funds are primarily used by CAAs to provide planning and coordination, organize services, encourage innovative and effective approaches to addressing the causes of poverty, broadening the resource base for programs and services, and for core administrative expenses. 

Please follow this link for a copy of the FFY 21 CSBG Allocation Plan

CSBG CARES Act Supplemental Award Amendment – Federal Fiscal Year 2020

This FFY 2020 CSBG CARES Act Supplemental Award Amendment amends the state’s approved CSBG Allocation Plan for FFY 2020 in order to allocate the supplemental award funds.  A copy of the Amendment can be downloaded here.

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Block Grant Allocation Plan – Federal Fiscal Year 2021

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of Connecticut's lower income households, specifically those households whose income falls at or below 60 percent of the state median income. 

CEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant. The Department of Social Services, with the help of its partners, Community Action Agencies (CAA), administers CEAP.

Please follow this link for a copy of the proposed FFY 2021 LIHEAP Allocation Plan.