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Payment arrangements are useful as a way of mitigating a crisis immediately and the arrearage amount being mitigated by the payment arrangement is eligible to be factored into crisis benefit determination, as outlined in section 8.9. Budget Billing Plans Clients with regulated utilities on a budget billing plan are eligible for crisis assistance even though the monthly utility bill is being maintained by a pre-arranged payment plan if they produce a disconnection notice, show that the prepaid account is near zero, or show that they have a negative balance and that the service will be terminated. Clients with unregulated utilities who have a negotiated payment plan are eligible for crisis benefits even though the payment plan ensures that clients receive bulk fuel deliveries on an automated schedule, as opposed to calling when the tank is low. Bulk fuel clients should provide a notice or other statement that the bill is past due and that they will not receive an automatic tank refill. Prepaid Accounts When a client has a prepaid account, generally, the client must pay in advance for their utility. Because the account is always prepaid, it will usually have a credit. However, prepaid customers are still eligible for crisis assistance in addition to their regular benefit if they have certified that the prepaid utility will run out within ten calendar days.

LSPs must give the entire crisis benefit of $400 to clients with pre-paid accounts for crisis when they self-certify that they will run out of their utility within ten (10) days. LSPs may allow the client to verbally declare the crisis and make notes in the statewide database. A current account statement of the prepaid account can also be used to demonstrate that the applicant will run out of their utility within ten (10) days.

7.4 Other Crisis Intervention Strategies In addition to providing funding and assistance as described above, LSPs may use other intervention strategies such as: • Case Work Activities. If the authorized heating and crisis benefits cannot resolve the emergency, the LSP must provide references to the household to secure additional funds. These services include referrals to other sources of utility assistance, intervention on behalf of the household with utility vendors, providing budget counseling with an emphasis on maintaining rent and utilities. • Case Management. For more extensive intervention with the household, the LSP should have procedures for referrals to the LSP’s case management component such as Family Development Consultants or Family Self-Sufficiency caseworkers. • Energy Education. Crisis clients can be referred to receive EAP Energy Education if that is part of the LSPs approved A16 plan.