Library: Policy

340:20-1-1. Purpose, legal basis, and nondiscrimination provisions

Revised 9-15-22

(a) Purpose.  The purpose of this Chapter is to outline the rules governing Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  The program provides assistance to low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of their household income to meet their home energy needs.  The households most affected by high energy costs are the elderly, disabled, homebound, children 5 years of age and younger, migrants, and those who are isolated from service programs by geographical conditions or language barriers.

(b) Legal basis.  The legal base for LIHEAP is vested in Title XXVI of Public Law 97-35, Section 8621 through 8629 of Title 42 of the United States Code (42 U.S.C. §§ 8621 through 8629), and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.  The program is financed from federal funds.

(c) Non-discrimination provisions.  LIHEAP does not subject persons to discrimination or exclude them from participating in, or deny the benefits of any program or activity funded in whole or in part with LIHEAP funds on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, per 42 U.S.C. § 8625.  Persons are not subjected to discrimination based on age, per the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6101 et seq.) or based on a disability, per 29 U.S.C. § 794.