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. Clients are issued two party checks when the non-delivered (a/k/a regulated) energy vendor they use does not contract with the State’s prime contractor to participate as a fuel vendor under LIHEAP. Clients must select delivered fuel vendors from a comprehensive list of vendors, who contract with the State’s prime contractor. The State's prime contractor issues 1-party checks to HH, who 1) pay for their heat through their lot rent to a mobile home park; or 2) pay for their heat to a 3rd party billing company. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? Once the benefit amount is funded, a letter is printed and mailed to the applicant informing them of their benefit amount. The state tries to inform the client of their eligibility/benefit within 7 business days. 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 the necessary language is included in the Vendor Agreements. Delivered fuel vendors don't get reimbursed without proof of fuel delivery. Non-delivered fuel vendors are required to show usage that equals or exceeds the benefit payment, during the DEAP operation period of October 1 – April 30. Delivered fuels receive additional month (April 30-March 31) to deliver fuel for the households that applied in March. If they cannot, then the remainder of the benefit is returned to the contractor, who returns it to the state. 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? Energy Vendor Contracts. Delivered fuel vendors may not charge a LHEAP household differently from their other customers. Vendors of delivered fuels get reimbursed after the services to the households have been provided. The crisis payments are dependent on alleviating crisis. 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.