Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant

GAO discussed the impact of the 1984 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program amendments on states' block grant funding, eligibility policies, and crisis assistance. GAO surveyed 13 states and found that the most significant changes related to the allocation formula, under which: (1) 7 of the 13 states received 1986 allotments that were 5-percent lower than 1985 levels; (2) 6 states received allotments up to 10-percent higher; and (3) of the 7 states receiving lower allotments, only 1 reported receiving state funding. GAO also found that: (1) the heating and crisis assistance components were at the same or higher funding levels as in previous years; (2) planned expenditures for administration in 1986 were higher in 9 of the 13 states; (3) all of the states were anticipating an overall 22-percent funding decline; (4) 8 states continued to transfer funds to other social service programs; and (5) the 6 states affected by the reductions in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act were just starting to consider how to respond to the cuts. The 1984 amendments required few changes in most states' eligibility policies or in their crisis programs' operation and duration.