9 Energy Suppliers,, 2605(b)(7) - Assurance 7

9.1 Do you make payments directly to home energy suppliers? Heating Yes No Cooling Yes No Crisis Yes No Are there exceptions? Yes No If yes, Describe. Payments to renters whose utilities are included in their rent. In these cases, payments are made directly to the applicant. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? When an application has been approved, the client is provided a copy of the application which describes the amount of the benefit, the energy supplier the benefit will be provided to, as well as the account name and number to which the benefit is applied. This information is provided to the client at the time of their appointment. 9.3 How do you assure that the home energy supplier will charge the eligible household, in the normal billing process, the difference between the actual cost of the home energy and the amount of the payment? All energy suppliers are required to sign a LIHEAP Energy Supplier Agreement with the state in order to receive payments. The agreement prohibits energy suppliers from charging more than the difference between the client’s actual cost of home energy and the payment applied to the account by the subrecipient. Attachment B of this State Plan includes the FY2026 LIHEAP Energy Supplier Agreement. 9.4 How do you assure that no household receiving assistance under this title will be treated adversely because of their receipt of LIHEAP assistance? The agreement prohibits this practice. All energy suppliers are required to sign a LIHEAP Energy Supplier Agreement with the State to receive payments. Attachment B of this State Plan includes the FY 2026 LIHEAP Energy Supplier Agreement. 9.5. Do you make payments contingent on unregulated vendors taking appropriate measures to alleviate the energy burdens of eligible households? Yes No If so, describe the measures unregulated vendors may take. Attach a copy of the template statewide vendor agreement or a policy that indicates local agreements must adhere to statewide policies and assurances. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.