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. The local Community Action Agency makes the payment directly to the home energy supplier. Households whose home energy suppliers do not have a current Home Energy Supplier Agreement with the program receive funds from the local Community Action Agency to pay the bill. The State monitors this process through the Energy Assistance Program statewide data system. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? Upon approval by the computer system, the local administering agency provides a cppy (indicating approval) of the application to the applicant’s household. (This applies to both the Regular and Crisis components) 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? Home Energy Suppliers who participate in the Georgia Energy Assistance Program will satisfy all of the Federal Assurances by signing and complying with the Home Energy Supplier's Agreement. The Home Energy Supplier Agreement will remain in effect for one year. If any of the information provided in the Agreement changes, the fuel supplier is required to notify the Department in writing. This partnership agreement with the home energy suppliers provides additional benefits to low-income households by providing documentation of the need for consideration for extended payment deadlines, delays in cut-off dates, and restoration of services based on the state's agreement to home energy suppliers to pay approved EAP applications. When needed, the program has the capability to receive validation from the home energy supplier that the bill has been paid as agreed upon. Please see the attached Vendor Agreement. 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? Page 6, number 11 of the vendor agreement states - That no person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or part with funds made available under this subpart. Any prohibition against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1976 or with respect to an otherwise qualified handicapped individual as provided in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 shall also apply to any such Program activity. The Division of Family and Children Services via the Department of Human Services provides a toll-free number that is to be posted in each LIHEAP intake location that can be used to report complaints against vendors should a client feel that they have been mistreated. 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.