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VENDOR MANAGEMENT SECTION 500

LIHEAP MANUAL JANUARY 2022 26

501 BACKGROUND

Home Energy Suppliers are encouraged to participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program thereby ensuring that funds are used specifically to offset the increasing costs of home energy. Approximately 400 fuel vendors participate in the program each year. The Home Energy Agreement satisfies all Federal Assurances of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. 501.1 REQUIREMENT

To receive direct payments from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a home energy supplier must sign a Home Energy Agreement with the Department of Human Services. 501.2 BASIC CONSIDERATION

To participate in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Home Energy Supplier must ensure: • not to discriminate against a household receiving assistance, either in the cost of goods supplied or service provided. • that payments received from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be posted timely to the customer's account. • that payments will not be applied to old accounts in collection status, unless needed to re- establish service. • that the full amount of the benefit will be applied to the actual fuel cost; NOTE: exceptions apply to Crisis Intervention as follows:

1. Benefits can be used to pay deposits and reconnect fees. 2. Benefits can be applied to the tank rental fee for gas applicants. 3. Energy Assistance benefits cannot be paid to a company acting as a billing agent.

• benefits posted in error must be corrected within 5 calendar days of notification by the agency or customer. • Agencies should communicate and encourage vendor participation in the Energy program.