LIHEAP Parity Act
The LIHEAP Parity Act would revise how states receive Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding by altering the allotment formula in the LIHEAP statute and requiring federal regulations to govern the calculation. Specifically, it removes a portion of existing statutory language in Section 2604(a)(2) and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a regulation that (1) defines the method used to calculate state allotments in line with the amendment, and (2) specifies the data sources used by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and how often those data are updated to keep allocations accurate. The intent is to improve parity across states and ensure LIHEAP funds are allocated more precisely through a transparent, data-driven process.
Key Points
- 1Amends Section 2604(a)(2) of the LIHEAP statute by striking certain language, which changes how the state allotment is described in law.
- 2Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue a regulation detailing the method used to calculate state allotments.
- 3The regulation must be consistent with the amendment and ensure the allotment method accurately reflects the funds involved.
- 4The regulation must specify the data sources to be used by the Administration for Children and Families to determine state allotments.
- 5The regulation must address how often those data sources are updated and how updates are implemented to keep state allocations accurate.