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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 8 Benefit Payments and Refunds Page 1 Chapter 8 Benefit Payments and Refunds Federal law and the State Energy Assistance Plan mandate time lines for making assistance payments. This chapter describes the procedures for authorizing payments based on household circumstances. The policies for scheduled payments are also described in the chapter. “Scheduled payments” is an initiative originally introduced into the Minnesota EAP in FFY07. The policy responds to an identified need for EAP recipients to use the Primary Heat benefit to establish an affordable budget payment plan. Scheduling payments provides the EAP benefit in smaller, periodic payments. The result is the bill from the energy vendor states the household’s obligation to pay after EAP payments and the amount is more likely to be within the household’s ability to pay. From the moment a payment is made, a refund becomes a possibility. Like payments, the refund process is dependent upon household circumstances. This chapter describes how to manage refunds, depending upon the situation. Chapter Contents • Payments to Energy Vendors • Payments to Households • Household Situation Changes After Eligibility Has Been Determined • Ownership of Assistance • Refunding of EAP Benefits Payments to Energy Vendors & Mechanical Contractors Most EAP benefit payments are made to the customer’s utility or fuel account. ERR benefit payments are always made directly to the mechanical contractor. Payment activities occur at the local and state levels: Service Providers authorize Primary Heat, Crisis, and ERR payments