Community Services Block Grant
Notice of Public Hearing
This Notice of Public Hearing advises the public that the South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (SC OEO) will be conducting a public hearing virtually at 10 a.m., Thursday, August 17, 2023, to review the proposed 2024 Model State Plans for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Click here to view the draft CSBG Model State Plan and here to view the draft LIHEAP Model State Plan.To attend the virtual public participation meeting,here or call in (audio only) at 1-803-454-9963 and use the phone conference ID: 792 540 018# at the date and time indicated above. Persons desiring to submit comments on the proposed 2024 CSBG and LIHEAP Model State Plans may do so during the virtual hearing or in writing no later than August 25, 2023. Comments may be mailed to the Office of Economic Opportunity at 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 364 Columbia, SC 29201, or emailed to oeo@admin.sc.gov. All timely written comments submitted by mail or email will be included as part of the official record and considered by SC OEO. For more information, contact the South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (803-734-0662).
Program Description
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides an array of funding for local community initiatives, including assistance for program-eligible households in areas such as education, employment, emergencies, housing, nutrition and health care. Community programs are intended to encourage families toward self-sufficiency.
Additional programs within CSBG include:
Local Initiative Projects
Local Initiative Projects are services and activities which target the anti-poverty goals as set forth in Section 675(C)(1) of the CSBG Act. Those include projects pertaining to employment, education, youth leadership, income management, energy, health, emergency, housing, nutrition and other areas in which there may be obstacles that impede the attainment of social and economic self-sufficiency by low-income persons. Specific anti-poverty goals and program strategies for a given service area are determined by the local community action agency through an annual community needs assessment, a community's own analysis of poverty-related problems.
General Emergency Assistance Program
The General Emergency Assistance Program (GEAP) provides assistance with general emergencies to program-eligible households in areas such as rent, mortgage, food, and medical services.
CSBG programs are administered during the year by fourteen community action agencies located throughout South Carolina with satellite offices in all of the state's 46 counties.
(CSBG is a block grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)
General Program Requirements
These grants are available to:
- Federally and state-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations
- Community Action Agencies
- Migrant and seasonal farm workers' agencies
- Other organizations specifically designated by the state
Your Next Step
To learn more about this program, contact the local Community Action Agency that serves your county.
Appeals Process
If you feel you were treated unfairly or denied service(s), please notify the Community Action Agency in your county of residence to appeal and request a fair hearing. Your application will be properly reviewed to determine eligibility based on the required documents provided.
If your appeal is denied by the Community Action Agency, a written appeal can be submitted to the Office of Economic Opportunity. Please send the appeal to the following address:
Office of Economic Opportunity
Attention: Legal Counsel
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 355
Columbia, South Carolina 29201