Page 77

LIHEAP MANUAL JANUARY 2022 77

Pre-Pay Utility Households Households which utilize a pre-pay vendor for energy services which are defined as "Pay-As-You-Go" accounts. Poverty Level A minimum income level below which a person is officially considered to lack adequate subsistence and to be living in poverty. Also called "poverty line". The Department of Health and Human Services is required to annually update the poverty guidelines used as an eligibility criterion by a number of Federal programs including Energy Assistance. Primary Home Heating Energy The type of fuel used most often to heat the household dwelling. Priority Outreach for Homebound and Elderly Energy Assistance applications are accepted for elderly and homebound households only during this period. Usually occurs thirty days before applications are accepted from the public. Priority Outreach Group Citizens aged 65 or older, the homebound, disabled, and young children are targeted for priority outreach for heating or cooling programs. Public Service Commission Board of elected officials who regulate public utilities. The PSC has donated fund to the Energy Assistance program to be service customers who use natural gas to heat. The mission of the Georgia Public Service Commission is to exercise its authority and influence to ensure that consumers receive safe, reliable and reasonably priced telecommunications, transportation, electric and natural gas services from financially viable and technically competent companies. Regulated Program This is a Public Service Commission program. The PSC contracts with a vendor to provide service to high-risk customers who might not otherwise have heating service. The PSC pays the Community Action Agencies to make referrals to the designated vendor. This program is also known as "the vendor of last resort".