Page 282
EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 15 Energy Vendors Page 10 immediately to avert life threatening and no heat situations. Households must request Crisis assistance by contacting the Service Provider. Service Providers determine household’s eligibility and notify energy vendors to deliver benefits. Crisis Eligibility Requirements To receive a Crisis benefit, a household must occupy the dwelling at the time the Crisis is requested and the benefit is determined and must be in one of the following situations: • Heat or electric currently shut off. • Have a current heat or electric disconnection notice. • Have less than 10 days pre-pay energy. • Have less than 20% in fuel tank and refusal to deliver. • Be a senior with a past due or current energy bill. • Have less than ten days biofuel (e.g., corn pellets, wood). • Be on a load limiter or have received notice of being put on a load limiter Amount of Crisis Benefit The amount of the Crisis benefit is: • For connected utilities: the current balance (including any fees) up to $600. • For delivered fuels: Up to $600 minus any amount that would leave a credit on the household’s account. The benefit can pay for fuel, the current balance and fees. • For self-supplied biofuel: $300. This is the amount per verified Crisis event. The household can get multiple Crisis benefits, up to the Crisis maximum. • For households on pre-pay (or PayGo) programs: $300. This is the amount per verified Crisis event. The household can get multiple Crisis benefits, up to the Crisis maximum. If the amount needed to resolve the emergency is less than the maximum crisis benefit, the payment amount is rounded up to the nearest dollar to ensure resolution of the emergency. For example: if the amount needed to resolve the emergency is $193.56 the correct payment amount is $194.00. Crisis payments must not result in a credit on the household’s account. However, due to rounding as explained above, Crisis payments to energy vendors may result in a small credit of less than $1.00. If an energy vendor identifies a Crisis payment that creates a credit over $1.00, they should immediately report it to the local Service Provider. Crisis Information Requirements Energy vendors must provide household account and crisis situation information upon Service Provider request. The Service Provider uses energy vendor information to verify and document the household’s situation to determine Crisis eligibility and benefits.