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urgent needs.

8.1 Local Administering Agency (LAA) Requirements Each LAA must submit a Local Crisis Plan to the OHEP State Office by October 30th annually. The plan must include: ● Primary crisis contact person. ● After-hours crisis management provisions. ● A list of additional community resources for situations where MEAP funds are insufficient. ● Strategies for ensuring geographically accessible application sites. ● Provisions for enabling disabled individuals to:

○ Apply for crisis benefits from home, or ○ Travel to an accessible application site.

(Reference: Public Law 97-35, Section 2604(c)(3)) 8.2 Energy Crisis Application Policy The timeframe for resolving a crisis begins as follows: ● Incomplete Applications: The 18- to 48-hour clock starts when both a signed application and a Crisis Season Declaration Form are received. These are the only documents needed to issue a crisis benefit or utility commitment. Supporting documentation can be provided later.

● Complete Applications: The 18- to 48-hour clock starts upon receipt of a signed application and all required documentation. No declaration form is needed.

If funding is exhausted, applicants must be referred to other agencies for assistance, accompanied by a denial letter stating funds have been depleted.

Updated May 2025

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Page 71

Official source

urgent needs.

8.1 Local Administering Agency (LAA) Requirements Each LAA must submit a Local Crisis Plan to the OHEP State Office by October 30th annually. The plan must include: ● Primary crisis contact person. ● After-hours crisis management provisions. ● A list of additional community resources for situations where MEAP funds are insufficient. ● Strategies for ensuring geographically accessible application sites. ● Provisions for enabling disabled individuals to:

○ Apply for crisis benefits from home, or ○ Travel to an accessible application site.

(Reference: Public Law 97-35, Section 2604(c)(3)) 8.2 Energy Crisis Application Policy The timeframe for resolving a crisis begins as follows: ● Incomplete Applications: The 18- to 48-hour clock starts when both a signed application and a Crisis Season Declaration Form are received. These are the only documents needed to issue a crisis benefit or utility commitment. Supporting documentation can be provided later.

● Complete Applications: The 18- to 48-hour clock starts upon receipt of a signed application and all required documentation. No declaration form is needed.

If funding is exhausted, applicants must be referred to other agencies for assistance, accompanied by a denial letter stating funds have been depleted.

Updated May 2025