Section 102-E - American Rescue Plan Rental and Utility Assistance Grant Program(a) Establishment.--The American Rescue Plan Rental and Utility Assistance Grant Program is established within the department. The program shall provide the following services to eligible individuals:(1) Rental assistance, including the following:(iii) Utilities and home energy costs.(iv) Utilities and home energy cost arrears.(v) Other expenses related to housing to the extent permitted by Federal law and guidance.(2) Housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed.(b) County.--Each county is eligible to participate in the program. The following shall apply: (1) Grant funds received by a county under this article shall be used for the provision of services under subsection (a). To the extent permitted by Federal law or guidance, the following shall apply: (i) No more than 10% of funds may be used to provide housing stability services.(ii) Associated administrative costs, including costs related to eligibility determination of applicants, may not exceed 15% of the total amount of grant funds.(2) A county may not use the grant funds received as the non-State match for other State funds, programs or grants.(3) Counties that participate in the Human Services Block Grant Program under Article XIV-B of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L. 31, No. 21)known as the Human Services Code, must use the funds for eligible services under this article.(4) A county is prohibited from placing any stipulations, restrictions or limitations on assistance or eligibility that are in addition to Federal law or guidance or this article.(c) Distribution.--Except as provided under paragraph (6), grant funds shall be distributed as follows: (1) From money appropriated for the program, each county shall receive an amount equal to the population proportion amount as determined by paragraphs (3) and (4). For purposes of this paragraph, a county's population shall be equal to the published estimate by the United States Census Bureau Population Estimates Program for calendar year 2019.(2) The department shall distribute funding to counties 30 days after the effective date of this section.(3) For the purposes of this subsection, the population proportion shall be determined as follows: (i) the population estimate of the county; divided by(ii) the sum of the population estimates of all counties.(4) Counties shall receive a disbursement in an amount necessary so that the total disbursement to a county is determined as follows:(i) Add: (A) the amount of money received by the Commonwealth from the Federal Government for emergency rental assistance under the American Rescue Plan; and(B) the amount of money paid directly by the Federal Government to counties for emergency rental assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act.(ii) Multiply: (A) the county's population proportion; and(B) the sum under subparagraph (i).(5) An amount equal to a disbursement received by a county directly from the Federal Government for rental assistance through the American Rescue Plan shall be deducted from the amount calculated under paragraph (4).(6) Grant funds received by the Commonwealth under section 3201(b)(3) of the American Rescue Plan shall be distributed and used for low-income, high-needs households in accordance with Federal law or guidance.(d) Human Services Block Grant Program.--Money received by a county under the program may not be included in the calculation of the allocation of funds under the Human Services Block Grant Program under section 1405-Bof the Human Services Code.(e) Reduction of obligations.--The following shall apply: (1) Any payments received by the landlord, a utility service provider or a payee from a payment made under this section shall be used to reduce the amount of the tenant's obligation to the landlord, utility service provider or a payee.(2) A landlord or utility service provider shall not be required to waive any outstanding obligations for rent or utility payments as a condition to participate in the program.(3) Except as provided under Federal law or guidance or paragraph (4), amounts provided for rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utility and home energy cost arrears and other expenses related to housing shall be made to the lessor, utility or payee on behalf of an applicant.(4) If a landlord or utility service provider refuses to participate in or cooperate with the program, payment may be made directly to an individual in accordance with Federal law or guidance. A payment received by an individual must be forwarded to the landlord, utility service provider or payee to reduce the tenant's obligation.(f) Transfer prohibited.--The department shall use funding from the program only for the purpose of services provided under subsection (a) provided for under the American Rescue Plan. The funding may not be transferred to other programs within the department.(g) Eligibility.--To the extent permitted by Federal law or guidance, an applicant may self-certify income eligibility for the program.1929, April 9, P.L. 343, No. 176, art. I-E, §102-E, added by 2021 , June 30, P.L. 62, No. 24, § 7, 7/1/2021.