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EAP Policy Manual FFY24 Chapter 15 Energy Vendors Page 20 will work with Service Providers on any follow up resulting from the audit. Once the review is complete, the information is summarized and provided to the PPAs. Leveraging Leveraging requires energy vendors to identify benefits given to low-income customers. Leveraging information helps Commerce get additional money through the Leveraging Incentive Program. The federal funds received as a result are then available to help pay heating bills for low-income customers. Only report benefits for which you have backup documentation. It is best to report a small amount of benefit than none at all. Benefits can only be counted if provided to low income customers exclusively, not to all customers. Benefits may include: • Waiver of reconnection charge. • Discount on price of fuel. • Waiver of deposit. • Cash donations to a company fuel fund for payment of crisis assistance to low income households. • Donations of coats, blankets or quilts to be given to low income households. Do not include EAP payments. Do not include low-income CIP information you have reported to the CIP/Special Projects Division of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Legal Requirements Energy vendor involvement is subject to federal and state statute and regulation. Federal, Commerce or Service Provider officials may audit energy vendor records pertaining to EAP. Audits may occur for program activity up to three years after the program year has closed and until action conducted during this period has ended. Non-Discrimination Energy Vendors cannot penalize or discriminate against customers for participating in EAP. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. § 8624(b)) states that an EAP eligible household must not be treated adversely or differently from other households because of receiving EAP assistance and energy vendors will not discriminate in services provided to the eligible household on whose behalf payments are made. Oil and propane dealers are required to comply with the Discrimination Prohibition in Minn. Stat. § 325E.027.