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. Eligible households who pay an undesignated portion of their rent toward energy costs will receive assistance sent directly to their secondary (electric) provider. Direct payments to eligible households must be approved by the state office in all circumstances with the exception of the following: - When both primary and secondary utilities are included in the rent and the account is in the landlord's name (non-subsidized households, and only regarding LIHEAP Regular Assistance). - When a CAA is unable to locate a vendor for a deliverable fuel LIHEAP customer (e.g., vendor will not sign a General Vendor Agreement, or a vendor is not able to service the tank because it belongs to a different vendor, the household has a small tank (e.g., 20 gallon) and the vendor will not make a delivery or a fill, etc.), they are required to offer a choice of either a direct pay to the LIHEAP customer or payment to a secondary vendor, and the deliverable fuel LIHEAP customer chooses a direct pay.* - If unable to establish another source of heat, the funds for which the household is eligible are to be made as a direct payment. Direct payment is made with the hope that the LIHEAP customer is able to find an alternate source of fuel or perhaps another place to stay, until they can pay the bill and be reconnected. - The assistance award for households whose primary source of heat is wood/coal/corn will be forwarded to the household’s electric supplier if a suitable wood/coal/corn vendor is not available. If no electric supplier exists, a direct payment to the LIHEAP customer may be made. * * The CAA must have verified documentation for any direct payments. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? Am initial determination letter is provided to the customer at the time the application is processed. Depending on the way the application was received, and the customer’s preferred method of communication if indicated, this can be as a system notification, an email, or by regular mail. This notification also confirms to the customer which vendor will receive the payment. If there is any change in benefit or approval status prior to payment being made, the customer will receive an updated letter. 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? This is included as a provision in our vendor agreements. 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? This is included as a provision in our vendor agreements. 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.