Page 197

EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 8 Benefit Payments and Refunds Page 13 Refund Process for EAP Funds Received During the Current Federal Fiscal Year Refunds occurring during the program year have different guidelines then those occurring after the program year (above). Energy vendors and Service Provides both have roles in the refund process, with two independent processes. During the program year, energy vendors enter refunds into eHEAT. Refunds are then automatically deducted from the energy vendor’s future EAP payments. If directed by the Service Provider or Commerce, the energy vendor must send a refund check to Commerce. Service Providers determine if the returned funds can be distributed to a new vendor, and if they can, manage payments accordingly. After the program year ends, funds are returned but the process differs from the flowchart.