Page 86

E. Ownership of Assistance MEAP and EUSP benefits are strictly for assisting households with heating and electric needs. To ensure this: ● Payments are made directly to suppliers.

● Suppliers may not return funds directly to applicants.

● If funds are used for mechanical equipment (e.g., furnace repair), ownership transfers to the applicant or their estate.

11.1 Grant Payment Procedures General Process ● Following certification of eligibility, payments are processed via the OHEP data management system.

● Applicants must identify their energy suppliers on the application.

● LAAs certify applications and weekly State OHEP creates an Energy Delivery Statement (EDS), which details customer names, account numbers, and benefit amounts.

● Payments are issued in batches per EDS.

Payments to Utilities ● The State Office processes utility payments weekly once payments begin in August.

● EDSs generated by Monday are included in that week’s payment batch.

● Payment transmittals are typically submitted on Wednesdays.

● Payments are received by utilities within 10–14 business days.

Updated May 2025