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. In most cases, direct payments are issued to energy vendors. Occasionally, dual-party warrants are issued and are made payable to the client and the energy vendor. On those few occasions when utilities are included in the rent or sub-metered, warrants are issued directly to the client. For those heating and cooling and crisis clients whose energy source is WPO, Local Service Providers make payments directly to energy vendors. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? 1. When a WPO payment is made directly to an energy vendor, the Local Service Provider sends the client a letter, advising them of the LIHEAP payment amount and approximate date the benefit will be credited to the account. 2. When a crisis or heating and cooling payment is made to an applicant with utilities included in rent, submetered utilities or with non- participating utility companies, the Local Service Provider provides the client with a letter indicating the amount of the benefit and the utility company to be paid, if applicable. 3. When a crisis or heating and cooling payment is made directly to an energy vendor, the vendor shows the amount of credit on the customer’s bill, indicating that the payment was made by LIHEAP. The Local Service Provider provides the client with a letter indicating the amount of the benefit and the utility company to be paid. 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? When a crisis or heating and cooling payment is made directly to an energy vendor, the vendor shows the amount of the credit on the customer's bill, indicating that the payment was made by LIHEAP. The Local Service Provider provides the client with a letter indicating the amount of the benefit and the utility company to be paid. CSD evaluates the notification process of LIHEAP payments during program evaluation. A different process is in place for Crisis payments, depending on whether the home energy supplier is a regulated utility or non-regulated utility. Regulated Utilities are audited by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to ensure that proper billing procedures are in place and the amount of the payments or credits are accurate. No modification of energy rates can occur without a public regulatory process, which is administered by the CPUC. For Non-Regulated energy vendors: 1. Local Service Providers use a "Confirmation of Payment" form whereby the non-regulated energy vendors record the date and amount credited for each account. 2. Local Service Providers are required to have each home energy supplier sign an assurance agreeing to the requirements of this section. Local Service Providers keep this information on file and clients are advised of their right to fair and equal treatment at the time of service. CSD staff ensures compliance with this provision during program evaluation. 3. Local Service Providers verify, before paying suppliers for all types of delivered fuels, that the charges for the services and goods provided are reasonable and within fair-market value. The amounts of these charges are reviewed during program evaluation. 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? Regulated Utilities sign a Direct Pay Agreement that stipulates that no customer receiving LIHEAP assistance pursuant to this Agreement will be subjected to disparate or adverse treatment by Utility due to receipt of such assistance. For Non-Regulated energy vendors, Local Service Providers require each home energy supplier to sign an agreement to adhere to the requirements of this assurance. Local Service Providers keep this information on file and clients are advised of their right to fair and equal treatment at the time of service. CSD staff ensures compliance with this provision during program evaluation. 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.