ATLANTA- The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services will hold a public hearing Wednesday, July 6, 2016, and Thursday, July 7, 2016, on the FY 2017 State Plan for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block Grant.

The public hearing on July 6,  2016, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Two Peachtree Street, NW, Atlanta, on the 26th floor, conference room 26-121.  The public hearing on July 7, 2016, will be held in Macon, Georgia at the Double U Business Development Center located at 1680 Broadway, Macon, GA 31201. 

Funded by the federal government and administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, the Energy Assistance Program helps eligible elderly, homebound, and other low-income Georgians with home heating costs, weatherization and other home energy needs. 

For FY 2017 the program distributed approximately $49,000,000 in client benefits.  The fiscal funding level for FY 2017 has not been released.

The plan outlines eligibility requirements and benefit payment schedules for the distribution of client benefits.  Copies of the draft plan are available for review on the DFCS website, at County DFCS offices, Community Action Agencies, and Area Agencies on Aging.

People who wish to make written comments on the plan should send them to the LIHEAP Program, Office of Family Independence, Division of Family and Children Services, Two Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 21-276, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Comments must be received by July 13, 2016.  People who are unable to attend the hearing but wish to make oral comments on the plan may call the LIHEAP Program at 404-657-3426.