The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Block Grant

GAO discussed the impact of the 1984 amendments to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance block grant on program funding, eligibility policies, and crisis assistance for 13 states. GAO found that: (1) the 1984 amendments, which changed the allocation formula for home energy assistance, have begun to influence state spending patterns in fiscal year 1986; (2) 7 out of 13 states received 1986 allotments that were 5-percent lower than 1985 levels, while 6 states received allotments up to 10-percent higher than 1985 levels; (3) overall, heating and crisis assistance is at the same or higher funding levels as in previous years; (4) as a result of the 1984 amendments, states can only carry over 15 percent of their net of transfers; and (5) although total program funding for 1986 was cut by 4.3 percent, reductions were not allocated proportionally to all states. GAO also found that: (1) 8 of the 13 states were operating programs that complied with 1984 eligibility changes; (2) most states did not have to change the operation and duration of their crisis assistance programs to comply with the 1984 amendments; and (3) all of the 13 states complied with the requirement that they identify the amount of funds available for energy crisis intervention and ensure their availability for assistance until March 15 of the program year.