LIHWAP AT-2021-07 States Designation Change 7 FY2021

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

Action Transmittal

AT#:                             LIHWAP-AT-2021-07

DATE:                          May 20, 2021

TO:                               State and Territorial Governors, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Officials,
                                       Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administrators, and LIHEAP Program Contacts

SUBJECT:                  Instructions for Changing Lead Agency and Lead Official or Providing Sub-Designation for FY 2021 LIHWAP

ATTACHMENT(S):   A: Sample Change Designation Letter, B: Sample Change Contact Information Letter

Purpose: To provide States and Territorial Governors and designated Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Officials guidance regarding submitting a change of designation authority for the LIHWAP, a sub-designation authority within the designated lead agency, or updated contact information for a current designated office.

Note: If the governor has previously designated a specific individual, rather than a designated lead agency, to administer the LIHWAP, we request that the governor’s office submit an updated letter using Attachment A to identify the designated lead agency, the lead official (i.e. individual within that agency that is empowered to administer LIHWAP), and their position within that agency, along with all requested contact information.

Instructions for Submitting a Change in Lead Agency Designation Authority

To change the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) designated lead agency and lead official, the governor’s office within each state and U.S. territory must write to LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov and identify a new designated lead agency that will be empowered by the governor to submit a state plan and to sign any required certifications or assurances.

Please note that while the governor has discretion to designate a lead agency and lead official, the agency selected must be able to coordinate with current state Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administrators regarding existing processes, procedures, policies, and systems in order to expedite the distribution and oversight of these funds. Current State LIHEAP Officials and State LIHEAP program contacts are included in the distribution of this action transmittal to facilitate communication.

An example of a change in designation letter is included as Attachment A. The Office of Community Services (OCS) requests that the governor’s office within each state and U.S. territory use this attachment, as it includes specific language that is necessary to confirm a change in designation and contact information.

Please send the official designation letter to the following email address LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov along with a mailing address, phone number, and email address for the responsible state official and any assigned program contacts.

Instructions for Submitting a Sub-designation of Lead Official:

Please use these instructions if designated lead agency shall remain the same and the agency lead official is sub-designating the role of lead official within the same lead agency.

In order for OCS to change the contact information for the currently designated lead agency, the current designated official from the lead agency must email LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov, and identify the sub-designated state official within that agency and provide new contact information for the responsible state official and any assigned program contacts.

An example of a sub-designation letter is included as Attachment B. OCS requests that the lead agency within each state and U.S. territory use this attachment, as it includes specific language that is necessary to confirm sub-designation.

Please send the sub-designation letter to the following email address at LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov along with a mailing address, phone number, and email address for the responsible state official and any assigned program contacts.

Instructions for Submitting Updated Contact Information

If neither the lead agency nor the designated official role within the lead agency are changing, but that official would like to submit a change in contact information, new contact information as a successor to the role, or additional contact information, the current designated official from the lead agency can email LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov directly in order to submit updated contact information on behalf of themselves.

Contact and Questions

• If you are a prospective state or territory LIHWAP grantee, please use the LIHWAP States and Territories email at LIHWAPStates@acf.hhs.gov.
• For stakeholders or other non-grantees, please reach out to LIHWAP@acf.hhs.gov.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS grantees.

/s/
Lauren Christopher
Director, Division of Energy Assistance
Office of Community Services

ATTACHMENT A — Sample Designation Letter

Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Dr. Howard:

I hereby designate [name of agency] as the lead agency for administration of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in the state/territory of [state or territory name]. This letter supersedes the previous designation letter submitted by this office designating a lead agency for LIHWAP.

The lead executive of the department, [name of current office holder], and any official successor to this position is authorized to make assurances of certification which may be required as part of the annual LIHWAP application process.

The mailing address for the agency is: [Mailing Address]

The name, phone number and email address for the responsible state official and any assigned program contacts are below: [Name, phone and email for each person]

This delegation of authority shall remain in full force and effect until modified or rescinded by federal or state statute or by the chief elected official of this state.

Sincerely
[Signed by Governor]

[Printed Name of Governor]

ATTACHMENT B — Sample Change in Contact Information

Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201

Dear Dr. Howard:

[Lead Agency Name] has been previously designated by [state/territory governor] as the lead agency for administration of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in the state/territory of [state or territory name].

As the lead executive of the [Lead Agency Name], I am writing this letter to sub-designate [position of official], held by [name of official] within our agency for the administration of the LIHWAP program. Hereafter, [position of official] will be authorized to make assurances of certification which may be required as part of the annual LIHWAP application process.

The name, phone number, and email address for the responsible state official and any assigned program contacts are below:

[Name, phone, and email for sub-designated official]
[Name, phone, and email for other assigned program contacts as necessary]

Sincerely
[Signed by Agency Lead Executive]

[Printed Name of Agency Lead Executive]