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Customers actively repaying overpayments must continue to receive new energy assistance benefits unless barred due to an IPV penalty. Benefits may not be withheld solely due to non-payment. Non-compliance should result in an MCCU referral, per these procedures. Write-Off of Overpayment Amounts Repayment amounts may be written off when: 1. The overpayment is less than $125.

2. The balance is $25 or less after Promissory Note payments stop.

3. The customer is deceased with no surviving spouse to assume the debt.

Note: LAAs must consult State OHEP before proceeding with any write-off. 5.4 Intentional Program Violation (IPV) Procedures Suspected IPV vs. Overpayment Not all overpayments result from an Intentional Program Violation (IPV). When submitting a Referral for Investigation form, the Local Administering Agency (LAA) must indicate whether it is recommending an IPV determination as part of the referral. An IPV is defined as the intentional submission of false or misleading information, the deliberate concealment or withholding of facts, or any other act of willful misrepresentation related to an application for assistance through the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). Upon submitting a referral for suspected IPV: ● The LAA cannot deny benefits based solely on suspicion. ● If definitive evidence exists that renders the customer ineligible, the application may be denied. ● If eligibility remains uncertain and further investigation is needed, the application must be processed and benefits issued, unless directed otherwise by the State OHEP Quality Assurance Analyst.

Updated May 2025