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“Needs assessment” means reviewing the client’s case record and identifying the most appropriate services and referrals. “Vendor advocacy” means helping the client to communicate effectively with the vendor to maintain service. This includes helping the client to enroll in a home energy supplier affordable payment plan. “Affordable payment plan” means a program that provides a household with a more affordable energy payment for an established period of time and includes a component for arrearage forgiveness when necessary. “Financial education or budget conversation” means to provide financial counseling, financial literacy education, and/or financial management training to assist a household in budgeting for and contributing to their ability to provide for energy expenses. “Energy education or conservation conversation” means assisting households to develop a better understanding of their energy bill and developing strategies to motivate a household to make behavioral changes to decrease their usage. This includes furnishing information to households about how to reduce energy usage and obtain energy waste reduction services. “Energy waste reduction services” means energy conservation or energy efficiency services that are demonstrated to produce measurable savings to help a household to achieve a greater degree of energy self-sufficiency. “Weatherization” means a program supported by funds provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program and/or LIHEAP funds to provide low cost and cost-effective energy related home repairs. WAP and LIHEAP program weatherization goals:  WAP: to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential energy expenditures, and improve the health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as elderly, the handicapped, and children.  LIHEAP: provide low-cost residential weatherization and other cost-effective energy-related home repair. “Short term case management” means developing information and materials about services available to LIHEAP/LIEAF clients, developing an understanding of a client’s needs and offering counseling during MEAP intake. “Longer term case management” means developing a curriculum and training materials for service delivery, working with clients on energy education and/or financial counseling over an extended time period. 1.3.2 KEY PROGRAM DATES November 1 to March 31-Winter Protection Plan protecting low-income customers and senior citizens from shut off per MPSC rules and state law as set forth in MCL 460.9r(3)(d).