NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND
REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

The Department of Human Services will hold a public hearing on the proposed use and distribution of funds for the federal fiscal year 2009 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on Monday, August 18, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Haseko Center, Suite 606, Conference Room 2, 820 Mililani Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.
PROPOSED USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF LIHEAP FUNDS
For each federal fiscal year in which the state receives federal LIHEAP funds, of the amount allocated to the State, the following amounts shall be reserved:
No less than sixty-four per cent for energy credit assistance payments on behalf of eligible households; no greater than twenty-five per cent for energy crisis assistance on behalf of eligible households; one per cent carry-over to the following federal fiscal year for utility payments on behalf of eligible households whose payments are not issued in the current program year; and no greater than ten per cent for administration of the program.
Households may apply for either energy credit assistance or energy crisis assistance, but not both.
Energy crisis funds not issued to eligible households shall be added to the funds to be issued as energy credits.
In no event shall the energy credits and the energy crisis assistance payments combined with funds held over to the following year and administrative costs result in expenditure of funds greater than the amount allocated to the State for the LIHEAP program in any federal fiscal year.
In no event shall the department accept applications for LIHEAP in any federal fiscal year in which the State does not receive federal allocation for the program.
Interested parties are invited to attend the hearing and to state their views on the proposed use and distribution of LIHEAP funds orally or in writing. Written testimony may be submitted either to the presiding officer at the time of the hearing, or to the following address no later than August 18, 2008.
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division
Financial Assistance Program Office (LIHEAP)
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, HI 96813
Residents of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Molokai wishing to present testimony may call the following number toll-free between 10:00 and 5:00 any workday through August 18, 2008, to make arrangements. Dial the 0 operator and ask for Enterprise 5317.
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The Department of Human Services is soliciting comments regarding the proposed State Plan for Hawaii for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for federal fiscal year 2009.
The State Plan is available for public inspection and review at the following office:
Department of Human Services
Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division
Financial Assistance Program Office (LIHEAP)
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, HI 96813
Residents of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Molokai may call the following number toll-free to make arrangements to review a copy of the State Plan. Dial the 0 operator and ask for Enterprise 5317.
Written comments should be submitted to the address listed above no later than August 18, 2008.
For oral comments, please call either of the following numbers between 10:00 and 5:00 any workday through August 18, 2008:
Oahu callers, dial 586-5734
Outer island callers dial 0 operator and ask for Enterprise 5317.