2025 SC OEO Administrative Guide_effective Jan. 1, 2025

South Carolina Administrative Guide for CSBG and LIHEAP

Overview

• A guide for South Carolina agencies administering

  • Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

• Effective Date: January 1, 2025

• Issued by: South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity

Table of Contents

1. Mandatory OEO Policies for CSBG & LIHEAP Block Grants

   • Use of the Statewide Application & Database

   • Income Verification

   • Timeframes to Process Applications

   • Mandatory Use of the DBA Voucher

   • Notice of Denial

   • Application Retention

   • Undue Hardships & Barriers to Service

   • LIHEAP Vendor Agreement

   • Outreach for Federal Grants

2. Community Services Block Grant

   • Federal Overview

   • State Overview

   • Mandatory Use of the Statewide Database

   • CSBG Income Eligibility

   • Program Eligibility

   • Local Initiative Projects

3. Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

   • Federal Overview

   • State Overview

   • LIHEAP Income Guidelines

   • Program Eligibility

   • Emergency Crisis Intervention Benefit

   • Weatherization Assistance

   • Disaster Relief

   • Appeals & Fair Hearing

   • Planning & Reporting

4. Appendices

   • Various checklists and forms relevant for administration

Section 1: Mandatory OEO Policies for CSBG & LIHEAP Block Grants

Use of Statewide Application & Database

• All eligible entities must utilize the statewide application generated by DBA to determine eligibility for OEO-administered grants.

• Documents included in the application:

  • Notice of Fair Hearing and Appeals

  • DBA Customer Report

  • DBA Customer Voucher

  • Notice of Denial

• Pre-screening or additional application barriers are prohibited.

• Non-emergency applications must be processed within 10 business days from submission.

Income Verification

• Determined once annually using the household's previous 30-day gross income.

• Gross income is total income before taxes.

• Households with no income must be reassessed each time they apply.

Processing Applications

• 10 business days for standard applications, 18 hours for life-threatening emergencies.

Use of DBA Voucher

• A customer voucher must be provided, and vendors are not required to sign it.

Section 2: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Overview

• Provides funding to local agencies to reduce poverty and empower low-income families.

• Administered under the 1998 CSBG Act, significant community representation is emphasized.

• Income eligibility is based on a household's earnings not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

State Overview

• Focus on promoting social and economic self-sufficiency.

• Eligible services: employment, education, housing, emergency services, and health.

Section 3: Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Eligibility and Guidelines

• Assistance for low-income households; income must not exceed 60% of the state’s median income (SMI).

• The program provides heating and cooling assistance, along with crisis intervention.

Federal and State Objectives

• The state must assist low-income households that face high energy costs, particularly those with the highest needs.

Appendices

A. GEAP Checklist

• Documents required for emergency assistance application:

  • Current lease agreement

  • Proof of income

  • Emergency documentation

B. Local Initiative Projects Checklist

• Must include household income documentation and detailed invoices.

C. Youth Leadership Checklist

• Includes income documentation, assessments, and mandatory vouchers.

Important Contact Information

• South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (contact details for key program directors and coordinators)

South Carolina Administrative Guide for CSBG and LIHEAP

Overview

This guide provides a detailed manual for South Carolina agencies that manage two essential federal programs: the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). These programs aim to reduce poverty, enhance access to services for low-income families, and assist with energy conservation efforts.Effective Date: January 1, 2025Issued by: South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity

Table of Contents

1. Mandatory OEO Policies for CSBG & LIHEAP Block Grants

2. Use of the Statewide Application & Database

3. Income Verification

4. Timeframes to Process Applications

5. Mandatory Use of the DBA Voucher

6. Notice of Denial

7. Application Retention

8. Undue Hardships & Barriers to Service

9. LIHEAP Vendor Agreement

10. Outreach for Federal Grants

11. Community Services Block Grant

12. Federal Overview

13. State Overview

14. Mandatory Use of the Statewide Database

15. CSBG Income Eligibility

16. Program Eligibility

17. Local Initiative Projects

18. Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

19. Federal Overview

20. State Overview

21. LIHEAP Income Guidelines

22. Program Eligibility

23. Emergency Crisis Intervention Benefit

24. Weatherization Assistance

25. Disaster Relief

26. Appeals & Fair Hearing

27. Planning & Reporting

28. Appendices

• Various checklists and forms relevant for administration

Section 1: Mandatory OEO Policies for CSBG & LIHEAP Block Grants

Use of Statewide Application & Database

All eligible entities (local agency partners) are required to utilize the statewide application generated by the Department of Business Administration (DBA) to determine eligibility for Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) administered grants. Key documents included in the application are:

• Notice of Fair Hearing and Appeals: Ensures transparency throughout the application process and informs applicants of their rights.

• DBA Customer Report: A summary report detailing the customer's application and eligibility status.

• DBA Customer Voucher: A document that verifies eligibility for assistance.

• Notice of Denial: A document detailing the reasons behind application denial.

Pre-screening or additional barriers during the application process are strictly prohibited to ensure equitable access to funds and services.

Non-emergency applications must be processed within 10 business days from submission to facilitate timely support to families in need.

Income Verification

Income verification is conducted annually based on the household's average 30-day gross income, representing total income before tax deductions. Households without reported income must undergo reassessment each time they apply for assistance, guaranteeing precise eligibility evaluations.

Processing Applications

Standard applications must be processed within 10 business days, while life-threatening emergency applications require processing within 18 hours.

Use of DBA Voucher

A customer voucher is mandatory as proof of eligibility, but vendors are not required to sign it.

Section 2: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Overview

The CSBG program allocates critical funding to local agencies focused on reducing poverty and empowering low-income families. This program, administered under the 1998 CSBG Act, emphasizes significant community input to ensure local needs are effectively addressed.Eligibility is based on a household’s annual income, which must not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

State Overview

The state component of CSBG aims to promote social and economic self-sufficiency, offering eligible services such as employment support, educational programs, housing assistance, emergency services, and health resources.

Section 3: Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Eligibility and Guidelines

LIHEAP provides essential assistance to low-income households whose total income cannot exceed 60% of the state’s median income (SMI). The program offers support for heating and cooling needs along with crisis intervention strategies tailored for qualifying households. It is critical for preventing health issues related to extreme temperatures by ensuring households can maintain appropriate heating in winter and cooling in summer.

Emergency Crisis Intervention Benefit (ECIP)

The Emergency Crisis Intervention Benefit (ECIP) specifically addresses urgent situations involving:

• Loss of heating or cooling: households that face disconnection or have already lost energy services.

• Natural or man-made disasters: circumstances requiring immediate energy assistance due to hazardous events.

• Health-related emergencies: Situations where a lack of heating or cooling poses a danger to the health and safety of household members.

• Unexpected changes in household circumstances: such as sudden unemployment or medical emergencies that leave families at risk of losing essential energy services. These pre-defined emergencies allow for swift assistance to households in dire need of energy support.

Federal and State Objectives

LIHEAP’s overarching aim is to provide vital support to low-income households facing significant energy costs, particularly those with the highest needs. This initiative aligns with federal guidelines stressing the importance of energy assistance to low-income families, enhancing overall quality of life by reducing energy burdens and preventing utility shut-offs. Moreover, outreach programs engage in recruitment efforts to enroll eligible participants and provide education on energy conservation, contributing not only to family support but also promoting environmental sustainability.

Appendices

A. GEAP Checklist

This includes essential documents required for applications for emergency assistance, such as:

• Current lease agreement

• Proof of income

• Emergency documentation

B. Local Initiative Projects Checklist

This checklist requires the inclusion of household income documentation and detailed invoices to ensure appropriate allocation of funds.

C. Youth Leadership Checklist

It involves essential income documentation, assessments, and mandatory vouchers designed to empower youth participation in community initiatives.

Important Contact Information

• South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (contact details for key program directors and coordinators)