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Code of Colorado Regulations eDocket
Details of Tracking Number
2021-00291
CCR details
| Tracking Number |
2021-00291 |
| Type of Filing |
Permanent Rule |
| Department |
500,1008,2500 Department of Human Services |
| Agency |
2503 Income Maintenance (Volume 3) |
| CCR Number |
9 CCR 2503-7 |
| CCR Title |
LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (LEAP) |
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Proposed rule
| Notice Filed with SOS |
04/30/2021 |
| Rule |
ProposedRuleAttach2021-00291.doc |
| Statutory Authority |
26-1-111(2)(a), C.R.S. (2020); 40-8.5-101, C.R.S. (2020); 40-8.7-109, C.R.S. (2020) |
| Description of Subjects/Issues |
This rule change is necessary because of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Rescue Act). The Rescue Act allows the new household water program to be administered in states already receiving funds for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). In Colorado, the eligibility of households for the LIHWAP program will be determined through LEAP. To ensure that Colorado households have the time to apply for LIHWAP, the LEAP rules must immediately change the applications deadline period, which is accomplished with this rule change. In addition, there has been no guidance from our federal partners on the distribution of this program, one of the few things known is that eligibility for the program will be that the household has been approved for LEAP. LEAP will not be allowed to announce the availability of the LIHWAP program until there is guidance on the distribution. If the LEAP program ends at the end of April and LEAP does not have federal guidance until the end of April, then LEAP cannot notify potential eligible households of the program and give them time to apply because our LEAP Program year will be closed.
NOTE: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it is anticipated that this meeting will take place entirely online. Please check here for any updates on location/connection: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/sbhs |
| Purpose/Objective of Rule |
This rule change is necessary because of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Rescue Act). The Rescue Act allows the new household water program to be administered in states already receiving funds for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). In Colorado, the eligibility of households for the LIHWAP program will be determined through LEAP. To ensure that Colorado households have the time to apply for LIHWAP, the LEAP rules must immediately change the applications deadline period, which is accomplished with this rule change. In addition, there has been no guidance from our federal partners on the distribution of this program, one of the few things
known is that eligibility for the program will be that the household has been approved for LEAP. LEAP will not be allowed to announce the availability of the LIHWAP program until there is guidance on the distribution. If the LEAP program ends at the end of April and LEAP does not have federal guidance until the
end of April, then LEAP cannot notify potential eligible households of the program and give them time to apply because our LEAP Program year will be closed. |
| Basis And Purpose |
BasisAndPurposeAttachment2021-00291.doc
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| Regulatory analysis |
RegulatoryAnalysisAttachment2021-00291.doc
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| Comments |
CDHS typically holds 2 public hearings, an initial and final, for each proposed rule. The initial hearing allowing the public an opportunity to submit written data, views, or arguments and to testify for or against the proposed rules. The Board does not vote on the proposed rule at the initial hearing, but asks CDHS to consider all public comment and discussion and, if needed, submit revisions to the proposed rule. The final hearing, usually the month following the initial hearing, allows the same opportunity for public comment, after which the Board votes on final adoption of the proposed rule. Emergency rules (ER) are adopted immediately, and are permanently adopted at a second hearing, usually the month after the initial hearing. It is anticipated that this hearing will permanently adopted ER adopted 5/7/2021 (SOS#2021-00315). It is anticipated that this meeting will take place entirely online. Please check here for any updates on location/connection: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/sbhs |
| Submitted in response to issues raised by COLS/OLLS? |
No
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| Is this rule adopted in response to recent legislation? |
No
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| Hearing Date |
06/04/2021 |
| Hearing Time |
08:30 AM |
| Hearing Location |
Location Pending State's response to COVID-19. Anticipated to be held entirely online |
| Contact Name |
Theresa Kullen |
| Contact Title |
LEAP Manager |
| Contact Telephone |
720.788.8050 |
| Contact email |
Theresa.kullen@state.co.us |
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Adopted rule
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