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Section 9 - Energy Suppliers,, 2605(b)(7) - Assurance 7 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES August 1987, revised 05/92, 02/95, 03/96, 12/98, 11/01 OMB Clearance No.: 0970-013 Expiration Date: 02/28/2027

LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(LIHEAP) MODEL PLAN

Section 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.

Exceptions are allowed under circumstances when a new vendor or existing vendor is not set up to receive payment directly from LHC and/or refuses to accept a pledge on behalf of an eligible applicant. The Contractor may request reimbursement for the payment made to prevent a shut-off or disconnection. There is only 1 out of 150 energy vendors that is not set up to receive payments directly from the LHC. LHC does not discriminate against an applicant whose vendor chooses not to sign due to utility vendors being determined based on location and not by applicant selection.

9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid?

The Hancock Energy Software (HES) generates a Client Qualification Notification letter, which is provided to the client at the end of the application process. The notification of eligibility letter certified from the HES computer system with amount shall be (1) provided to the applicant at time of application or (2) e-mailed or mailed to the applicant. For home-bound and/or disabled applicants, the notification ofeligibility must occur within 15 days of the date of application. A copy of the notification of eligibility letter must be filed in the applicant’s case record. When HES determines that an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, the request for assistance shall be denied. The HES computer system generated denial letter shall be mailed within five (5) business days of the date of application and a copy shall be filed in the applicant’s case record. If applying in person, the applicant should be provided a denial letter at the time of application.

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?

The Vendor Agreement contains a provision to assure the vendor will not discriminate, neither in costs or goods supplied nor the servicesprovided, against the household on whose behalf benefit payments are made.

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?

The Vendor Agreement contains a provision to assure customers receiving assistance from the LIHEAP will not be treated adversely because of such assistance under applicable provision of State law and public regulatory requirements.

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 Page 24 of 55