4 CRISIS ASSISTANCE

Eligibility - 2604(c), 2605(c)(1)(A) 4.1 Designate the income eligibility threshold used for the crisis component Add Household size Eligibility Guideline Eligibility Threshold 1 All Household Sizes State Median Income 60.00% 4.2 Provide your LIHEAP program's definition for determining a crisis. If you administer multiple crisis assistance programs (winter, summer, and/or year-round), Include all program definitions. CSD uses the federal definition of a crisis (Low Income Energy Assistance Act § 2603 (3)): “weather-related and supply shortage emergencies and other household energy related emergencies.” Crisis funds may only be used in accordance with the federal definition, including: 1. A natural disaster (whether or not officially declared), 2. A significant home energy supply shortage or disruption, 3. An official declaration of a significant increase in: 4. Home energy costs, 5. Home energy disconnections, 6. Enrollment in public benefit programs, or 7. Unemployment and layoffs, or 8. An official emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In those situations where there is not an official federal, state, or local declaration of emergency, an emergency may be deemed to exist by CSD where there is imminent danger, requiring immediate action to prevent or mitigate the loss or impairment of life, health, property, or essential public services. 4.3 What constitutes a life-threatening crisis? Life-Threatening: Applicant is without heating, cooling, or utility service during extreme weather conditions, as determined by the local administrative agency. This may include energy-related situations that pose a threat to the health and safety of one or more members of the household. Crisis Requirement, 2604(c) 4.4 Within how many hours do you provide an intervention that will resolve the energy crisis for eligible households? 48Hours 4.5 Within how many hours do you provide an intervention that will resolve the energy crisis for eligible households in life-threatening situations? 18Hours Crisis Eligibility, 2605(c)(1)(A) Winter Crisis Summer Crisis Year-Round Crisis 4.6 Do you have additional eligibility requirements for Crisis Assistance? 4.7 Check the appropriate boxes below to indicate type(s) of assistance provided 0 Do you require an Assets test? Do you give priority in eligibility to: Older Adults (60 years or older)? Individuals with a disability? Young Children? Households with high energy burdens? Other (Specify): Each Local Service Provider is required to submit a priority plan as an attachment to their contract. The priority plans are in narrative form and identify multiple categories used to prioritize services, such as: Poverty Level, Energy Burden, Vulnerable Population. Based on an assessment of each applicant, Local Service Providers prioritize by assigning points for each of these categories though priority may be given to households with life-threatening emergencies. In Order to receive crisis assistance: Must the household have received a shut-off notice or have a near empty tank? Must the household have been shut off or have an empty tank? Must the household have exhausted their regular heating benefit? Must renters with heating costs included in their rent have received an eviction notice? Must heating/cooling be medically necessary? Must the household have non-working heating or cooling equipment? Other (Specify): In order to receive crisis assistance, a household can have: - Proof of utility shutoff notice, - Proof of energy termination, - Insufficient funds to establish a new energy account, - Insufficient funds to pay a delinquent utility bill, - Insufficient funds to pay for essential firewood, oil or propane, - Insufficient funds to pay the cost of repairing or replacing an eligible heating or cooling appliance or for a new heating or cooling appliance, and/or - Applicant has a medical condition that requires temperature or climate control, and the heating/cooling appliance is considered hazardous, nonexistent, or inoperable. Do you have additional/differing eligibility policies for: Renters? Renters living in subsidized housing? Renters with utilities included in the rent? Explanations of policies for each "yes" checked above: Each Local Service Provider is required to submit a priority plan as an attachment to their contract. The priority plans are in narrative form and identify multiple categories used to prioritize services, such as: Poverty Level, Energy Burden, Vulnerable Population. Based on an assessment of each applicant, Local Service Providers prioritize by assigning points for each of these categories though priority may be given to households with life-threatening emergencies. In order to receive crisis assistance, a household can have: - Proof of utility shutoff notice, - Proof of energy termination, - Insufficient funds to establish a new energy account, - Insufficient funds to pay a delinquent utility bill, - Insufficient funds to pay for essential firewood, oil or propane, - Insufficient funds to pay the cost of repairing or replacing an eligible heating or cooling appliance or for a new heating or cooling appliance, and/or - Applicant has a medical condition that requires temperature or climate control, and the heating/cooling appliance is considered hazardous, nonexistent, or inoperable. Determination of Benefits 4.8 How do you handle crisis situations? Separate component Benefit Fast Track, no separate amount of crisis funds is issued. Rather benefits are issued to crisis customers within crisis response time frames. Other - Describe: The Crisis Program is limited to five activities: 1. Fast Track (electric and gas) utility payments 2. Energy Crisis Intervention Program Wood, propane and oil (ECIP WPO) payments 3. Heating and cooling services (HCS) 4. Severe Weather Energy Assistance and Transportation Services (SWEATS) 5. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Program Fast Track benefits are determined by the Local Service Providers, but payments to the utility companies are processed centrally by CSD, where ECIP WPO assistance, HCS and SWEATS benefits are provided locally. Local Service Providers have the ability to increase the Fast Track base amount by adding a supplemental benefit. The total benefit amount cannot exceed the total amount of the entire utility bills (to include energy charges, reconnection fees, and other assessed utility fees/surcharges to alleviate the crisis situation) or $1,500, whichever is less. ECIP WPO benefits are determined at the local level based on clients’ inability to pay for essential firewood, oil, or propane. The amount of the benefit is based on the cost to resolve the crisis. HCS services provide payment for energy-related repairs or replacement of non-functioning heating, cooling appliances and water-heating appliances. The benefit amount is based on the cost of the repair or replacement, up to the maximum amount as determined annually. SWEATS services provide payment to address energy-related emergency needs of low-income households affected by a natural disaster and PSPS. Typical services include additional utility assistance, temporary housing services, transportation services, temporary heating/cooling devices, and battery backup devices. The amount of the benefit may vary depending on the benefit offered. PSPS Emergency Preparedness Program services low-income households medically vulnerable to the effects of energy-related emergencies and residing in designated High Fire Risk Areas. Services include household emergency risk assessment, PSPS preparedness education, emergency preparedness supplies, and backup power appliances. 4.9 If you have a separate component, how do you determine crisis assistance benefits? Amount to resolve the crisis. $1,500 Other - Describe: Fast Track benefits are determined by the Local Service Providers, but payments to the utility companies are processed centrally by CSD, where ECIP WPO assistance, HCS and SWEATS benefits are provided locally. Local Service Providers have the ability to increase the Fast Track base amount by adding a supplemental benefit. The total benefit amount cannot exceed the total amount of the entire utility bills (to include energy charges, reconnection fees, and other assessed utility fees/surcharges to alleviate the crisis situation) or $1,500, whichever is less. Crisis Requirements, 2604(c) 4.10 Do you accept applications for energy crisis assistance at sites that are geographically accessible to all households in the area to be served? Yes No Explain. Large service territories typically have satellite offices or other non-profit agencies which accept applications. 4.11 Do you provide individuals who are individuals with a disability the means to: Submit applications for crisis benefits without leaving their homes? Yes No If No, explain. Travel to the sites at which applications for crisis assistance are accepted? Yes No If No, explain. If you answered "No" to both options in question 4.11, please explain alternative means of intake to those who are homebound or physically disabled? Benefit Levels, 2605(c)(1)(B) 4.12 Indicate the maximum benefit for each type of crisis assistance offered. Winter Crisis $0.00 maximum benefit Summer Crisis $0.00 maximum benefit Year-round Crisis $1,500.00 maximum benefit 4.13 Do you provide in-kind (e.g. blankets, space heaters, fans) and/or other forms of benefits? Yes No If yes, Describe Space heaters are allowable under the Emergency Heating and Cooling Program (EHCS). Evaporative coolers, heaters, fans, battery power backup devices, and generators are allowable under the Severe Weather Energy Assistance and Transportation Program (SWEATS). 4.14 Do you provide for equipment repair or replacement using crisis funds? Yes No If you answered "Yes" to question 4.14, you must complete question 4.15. 4.15 Check appropriate boxes below to indicate type(s) of assistance provided. Winter Crisis Summer Crisis Year-round Crisis Heating system repair Heating system replacement Cooling system repair Cooling system replacement Wood stove purchase Pellet stove purchase Solar panel(s) Utility poles / gas line hook-ups Other (Specify): Water Heater 4.16 Do any of the utility vendors you work with enforce a moratorium on shut offs? Yes No If you responded "Yes" to question 4.16, you must respond to question 4.17. 4.17 Describe the terms of the moratorium and any special dispensation received by LIHEAP clients during or after the moratorium period. 4.18 If you experience a natural disaster, do you intend to utilize LIHEAP crisis funds to address disaster related crisis situations? Yes No If yes, describe SWEATS services provide payment to address energy-related emergency needs of low-income households affected by a natural disaster and PSPS. Typical services include additional utility assistance, temporary housing services, transportation services, temporary heating/cooling devices, and battery backup devices. The amount of the benefit may vary depending on the benefit offered. PSPS Emergency Preparedness Program services low-income households medically vulnerable to the effects of energy-related emergencies and residing in designated High Fire Risk Areas. Services include household emergency risk assessment, PSPS preparedness education, emergency preparedness supplies, and backup power appliances. 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.