22VAC40-685-20. Home Energy Assistance Fund.
A. The Home Energy Assistance Fund is established on the books of the Comptroller in the Virginia State treasury as a nonreverting fund. Interest earned on moneys in the fund shall remain in the fund and be credited to it.
B. The purpose of the fund shall be to:
1. Supplement assistance provided through the Virginia Energy Assistance Program by assisting eligible low-income applicants with their residential energy needs;
2. Provide matching funds when required by federal regulations for LIHEAP (Virginia Energy Assistance Program) or Weatherization Assistance Program; and
3. Increase the amount of dollars the state may claim for a leveraging award through LIHEAP.
C. The fund shall consist of donations and contributions, moneys appropriated by the General Assembly, and interest earnings.
1. There shall not be restrictions placed on the amount of donations or contributions made to the fund.
2. Corporations, public agencies, individuals, and other entities may contribute to the fund.
D. Moneys received from public agencies, private utility service providers, charitable and community groups, and individuals seeking to assist low-income Virginians in meeting their residential energy needs shall be deposited into the fund and used in accordance with this chapter.
1. Special programs or fund raising projects may contribute monies to the fund.
2. State income tax refund checkoff moneys may be contributed to the fund.
3. General funds may be appropriated by the General Assembly into the fund.
E. The department shall disburse funds in one of the following two ways
1. Through the existing Virginia Energy Assistance Program.
2. Other means necessary to provide energy assistance to low-income individuals, at the discretion of the commissioner of the department.
F. Moneys in the fund not expended by June 30 of each year shall remain in the fund.
Statutory Authority
§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-805 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 24, eff. September 1, 2003.