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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 15.00 Crisis Assistance

Effective 09/01/2023

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An agency is not required to provide a portable space heater for a household living in a camper, if the agency believes it is unsafe.

15.40 Emergency Delivery – Energy Deliverable fuel vendors will be instructed to make the minimal delivery amount (established by the vendor), not to exceed $800, to assure an uninterrupted supply of fuel. For a household to qualify for an emergency delivery, the fuel tank must be at, or below, 30% full, or empty. Emergency delivery for an empty tank must be coded separately in the software from a tank that is 30% full, or less.

The following are expenses which the crisis program supports: ● Deliverable fuel deliveries/fills made to stationary and portable tanks o Arrearages o Portable Tanks: If the agency has an agreement with the deliverable fuel vendor, payment is made to the vendor. If there is no agreement with the vendor, the customer can be reimbursed for fills based upon submitted receipts, up to the award amount. ● Pressure check, safety check, leak seek test ● Regulator and valve replacement for tanks owned by the LIHEAP customer o Note: Vendors are responsible for repairing rental tanks ● Gas lines o From the tank to the home o Inside the home to the heating unit ● Emergency delivery fees such as after hours, same day delivery, non-route delivery ● Utility deposit fees for new service ● Security deposits ● Tank rental/leasing ● Customer-owned tank replacement (up to the maximum expenditure limit) ● Cost to set a new tank ● Other routine services ● Tax

The following are considered unsupported expenses and will not be paid from the crisis program: ● Pump-out fees ● Diversion fees

15.50 Emergency Reconnect – Energy For non-deliverable fuel LIHEAP customers, an initial payment can be made, up to $700, to establish reconnection with a household’s primary and/or secondary vendor, provided it would assure reconnection. This may include necessary deposits. Benefit can be received prior to receiving regular LIHEAP benefit.

Households experiencing a disconnection are to receive a benefit in the amount needed to establish reconnection of service, up to the limit. The benefit is to be paid directly to the vendor; not the customer. Email the state LIHEAP office a completed Energy/Water Crisis Expenditure Limit Waiver Request to exceed the expenditure limit. The form is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa.

The following are expenses which the crisis program supports: ● Natural gas line pressure test ● Connection fee/deposit for new service (often to establish service in the applicant’s name)

The following are considered unsupported expenses and will not be paid from the crisis program: ● Repair/replacement/installation of an electric pole ● Diversion fees or equipment tampering fees