8 Agency Designation,, 2605(b)(6) - Assurance 6

recipients and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) 8.1 How would you categorize the primary responsibility of your State agency? Administration Agency Commerce Agency Community Services Agency Energy/Environment Agency Housing Agency State Department of Welfare (administers TANF, SNAP, and/or Medicaid) Economic Development Agency Other - Describe: Include current list of subrecipient name, main office address (do not list P.O. Box), phone number, county(s) served, Congressional District, and UEI number. Used for Near hotline and OCS Service Provider Tool and clearinghouse. Alternate Outreach and Intake, 2605(b)(15) - Assurance 15 If you selected "State Department of Welfare (administers TANF, SNAP, and/or Medicaid)" in question 8.1, you must complete questions 8.2, 8. 3, and 8.4, as applicable. 8.2 How do you provide alternate outreach and intake for heating assistance? Local Administering Agencies, as required by their contract with the Maryland Department of Human Services, must conduct home visits for intake when requested by customers. During the heating season, targeted messaging is used to promote LIHEAP to prepare for winter. Satellite intake is conducted by several program partners, such as Area Agencies on Aging and utilities to enhance access to LIHEAP. Customers can obtain information, access applications, and complete applications for heating assistance by contacting the DHS Call Center or any local administering agency. In compliance with state legislation enacted under Article II, § 17(c) of the Maryland Constitution - Chapter 665, Maryland launched a universal redetermination process in 2023. This process streamlines the application process for OHEP recipients aged 60 and older, as well as for disabled customers who are permanently disabled and/or have completed an OHEP application through the Critical Medical Needs program, with eligible income types. 8.3 How do you provide alternate outreach and intake for cooling assistance?> Maryland does not conduct specific outreach for cooling assistance and does not have a cooling assistance benefit funded by LIHEAP. Maryland has an Electric Universal Service Program which provides electric assistance benefits that customers can apply for throughout the program year. 8.4 How do you provide alternate outreach and intake for crisis assistance? Maryland expedites crisis application assistance and benefit issuance year-round. Outreach is provided through the Local Administering Agencies as well as community and faith based partners. 8.5 LIHEAP Component Administration. Heating Cooling Crisis Weatherization 8.5a Who determines client eligibility? Other Other Other State Housing Agency 8.5b Who processes benefit payments to gas and electric vendors? State Administration Agency State Administration Agency State Administration Agency 8.5c who processes benefit payments to bulk fuel vendors? State Administration Agency State Administration Agency State Administration Agency 8.5d Who performs installation of weatherization measures? State Housing Agency Include a current list of subrecipient(s) name, main office address (do not list P.O. Box), phone number, county(s) served, Congressional District, and UEI number. If any of your LIHEAP components are not centrally-administered by a state agency, you must complete questions 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, and, if applicable, 8.9. 8.6 What is your process for selecting local administering agencies? The Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for jurisdictions where energy assistance programs are not provided by a local Department of Social Services or a local government entity. Agencies that administer energy assistance programs and are not subject to the RFP process include local Departments of Social Services (local welfare offices operating under the umbrella of DHS), and Baltimore City and Frederick, where interagency agreements are in place 8.7 How many local administering agencies do you use? 20 8.8 Have you changed any local administering agencies in the last year? Yes No 8.9 If so, why? Agency was in noncompliance with Grant recipient requirements for LIHEAP - Agency is under criminal investigation Added agency Agency closed Other - describe 8.10 If a subrecipient is no longer providing LIHEAP, are you aware of prior-year LIHEAP funds being mismanaged or misspent? Yes No 8.10a If yes, please explain. 8.10b If you are aware, were other federal programs impacted such as CSBG, SSBG, Head Start, TANF, and Department of Energy Weatherization funding, etc. Yes No 8.10c If yes, please explain. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.