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7.2 Arrearages The benefit may not be applied to that portion of a household’s utility bill which is in arrears over one year from October 1st of the current program year. For example, for the program year starting October 1, 2025, the EAP benefit may not be applied to bills accrued before September 30, 2024. 7.3 Crisis for Limiters, Meters, Payment Arrangements and Prepaid Services Prepaid Bulk Fuel Accounts Some bulk fuel customers have prepaid services called cash for delivery or cash only accounts. Prepaid services are eligible for EAP regular and crisis benefits if the account is in the name of applicant household member or landlord. If the account is in the name of a different third party, the applicant must complete a Form NHMD-2026 – Non- Household Member Declaration. Metered Bulk Fuel Accounts Some bulk fuel clients have “metered propane tanks”. The metered propane tank is a computerized bulk fuel tank that is controlled by a centralized computer system. Clients have an automated delivery schedule based on the amount of fuel in the tank, time since the last delivery, and outside temperature. The client receives a monthly bill that is based on the amount of fuel used within a thirty (30) day window. Clients who fall behind on their monthly bill will receive a notice of disconnection with a disconnection amount. If the disconnection amount is not paid, the tank will be turned off from the centralized computer. The bill must be paid before the tank is turned back on and the client will not be switched to a cash-for-delivery contract. Clients with these types of tanks are considered unregulated and are eligible for crisis benefits. Metered bulk fuel providers using limiters, meters and prepaid services must provide moratorium protection to EAP clients. Vendors may impose daily or other limits to clients wherein a brief interruption of service is used to notify a client they are nearing or over the maximum usage. However, an interruption in service longer than thirty minutes to an hour within a 24 hour period may be a breach of Indiana Code: 8-1-2-121. Payment Arrangements Payment arrangements are arrearage satisfaction agreements between utility/fuel providers that require a customer to consistently pay their monthly current charges while also paying a portion of their past-due balance. This past-due balance is typically divided into 3, 6, 9, or 12 equal payments. Typically, failure to pay both the monthly agreement on the arrearage and the current usage charge in full will result in a default of the agreement, and the entire balance will be due on the next bill. A payment arrangement typically extends or cancels a scheduled disconnection. Disconnection does not typically occur immediately upon default; usually, the next regular bill will state that the entire account balance is due, and the account is eligible for disconnection if this is not satisfied.