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Chapter 24 – Home Energy Assistance Program Page 19 of 33 A. A Household may be eligible for ECIP if a Household Member’s health and safety is threatened by an Energy Crisis situation and the Household does not have the financial means to avert the Energy Crisis. The Household will not be eligible if: they have any other Heating System that is safe and operable and has a supply of product; they reside in Subsidized Housing with heat included or a Rental Unit with heat included (with the exception that if the Household has a utility disconnection notice that relates to the operation of the Heating System, they may receive ECIP to restore the utility); or they have an Overpayment balance and have not entered into or complied with a repayment agreement. An Eligible Household under HEAP is income eligible for ECIP.

B. An Energy Crisis includes:

1. Reading of 1/4 tank or less on a standard 275 gallon heating oil tank;

2. Reading of 25% or less on a propane tank;

3. 7-day or less supply for other delivered Home Energy types; and

4. A utility disconnection notice that relates to the operation of the Heating System,

C. Allowable expenditures may include:

1. Home Energy deliveries provided the Eligible Household has exhausted any remaining Benefits previously issued;

2. Delivery charges associated with fuel deliveries under ECIP;

3. Surcharges, reconnection charges, or penalties related to a final utility disconnect notice;

4. Heating System repair, including restart fees;

5. Purchase of space heaters;

6. Temporary relocation provided the Eligible Household is experiencing a Life Threatening

Crisis that cannot be averted within 18 hours by one of the above measures.

D. ECIP will be administered pursuant to HEAP between November 1 and April 30. Conditioned on the availability of ECIP funds Energy Crisis benefits will be provided within 48 hours of the Household being certified eligible and Life Threatening Crisis funds will be provided within 18 hours of the Household being certified eligible.

E. ECIP benefits are determined each Program Year by MaineHousing based on Home Energy costs, economic conditions, and available funding.

F. Any denial of ECIP benefits will be provided to the Primary Applicant within three (3) business days.

G. ECIP Payments.