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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 6 Energy Related Repair Page 9 • ERR funds are not available; and • EAPWX funds are available The WAP Service Provider must follow EAP Crisis timelines and prioritize EAPWX funds to address the EAP referral if the WAP Service Provider has available EAPWX funds. In life- threatening conditions some form of assistance that will resolve the situation must be provided within 18 hours. If an allowable heating system repair or replacement is not life-threatening some form of assistance to resolve the situation must be provided within 48 hours. (Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. § 8623(c))) EAP Coordinators are to contact their EAP Program Performance Auditor and eap.mail@state.mn.us if problems are encountered. Fuel Type Changes Elective Fuel Type Changes Upon request of the homeowner, ERR funds may be used to change fuel types during a replacement as follows: • The cost of a new heating system with a new fuel type does not exceed the cost of a new existing fuel type heating system by more than 5%. The costs included in this analysis must include tank setting, LP fuel line burying, chimney repair, and other repairs, when applicable. If a household is switching from oil, wood, or biofuel to propane or natural gas, the difference can be as high as 20% without Commerce approval. Commerce must approve in advance any cost difference larger than 20%. • The household may not pay toward the additional cost of a replacement for the furnace they prefer over the furnace EAP would install. Medically Necessary Fuel Type Changes ERR funds may be used to change fuel types in medically necessary situations when the household provides a letter signed by a licensed medical doctor, a licensed physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner stating the need or disability. Medically necessary excludes short-term disabilities. In some cases, more than one household member must provide the signed medical statement for a fuel type change to be allowable. Examples include: • If the fuel change is requested because the current heating fuel type negatively affects a household member with an issue such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, only one medical letter is required. • If the fuel change is requested because a household member is physically unable to carry wood to the furnace, multiple household members may need a medical letter. If other household members can supply the wood, a fuel change is not medically