On Friday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published an Action Transmittal (AT) announcing the Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 in December, LIHWAP will be a sister program to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The AT directs states to submit letters of designation by March 8, 2021 assigning a state-level program administrator for LIHWAP. It also announces that OCS will be requiring that states submit State Plans for the water program. OCS will be providing guidance in the coming weeks on plan submission, reporting requirements, and state allocations.