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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Introduction Page 1 EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Introduction Purpose of this Manual The EAP Policy Manual is part of the contract to deliver the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Service Providers agree they are obligated to have the EAP Policy Manual in their possession, read and understand it, and comply with it. The EAP Policy Manual translates policy from the State Plan into procedures: • To restate program policies into procedures. • To define the principles upon which the policy or procedure are based. • To promote consistent application of program policies. The EAP Policy Manual is a guide for implementing EAP on Commerce and local levels. It states policies, the principles underlying the policies and procedures, and provides some examples. The policies, procedures and principles provide tools that local Service Providers can use to make decisions about specific situations. It is not meant to provide specific detail in how to deal with all possible circumstances. Use the Values and Core Beliefs listed in the following chapter as guides when interpreting policies found in the EAP Policy Manual. In addition to the EAP Policy Manual, the Department of Commerce (Commerce) publishes a weekly newsletter, The Energizer, to inform Service Providers of EAP policy and procedure updates. Service Providers must read, understand and comply with The Energizer. The Energizer serves as an update to the manual only during the Federal Fiscal Year in which it is published. Occasionally, it is necessary to immediately communicate with Service Providers. Commerce uses A Spark, a supplement to The Energizer. A Spark will also be an official communication from Commerce and hold the weight of policy. Any A Spark issues will be fully incorporated into the next The Energizer. Additionally, all The Energizers will be posted on the web.