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6 | P a g e October 25 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Prudent Person Principle The policies and procedures included in the LIHEAP Manual are rules for determining eligibility, delivering benefits, and administering the program. It is impossible to foresee and give examples for all situations; therefore, staff are encouraged to use reason and apply good judgment in making decisions when addressing the specific needs and requests of a household or an unusual situation. Decision-making by staff based on the best information available, program knowledge, experience, and expertise in a particular situation is referred to as the Prudent Person Principle. Prudence may also include discussing specific policy interpretation with the Sub-grantee’s monitor. 1.2 Manual Availability and Reproduction AVAILABILITY The LIHEAP manual, including all pertinent manual bulletins, must be available to the public for review, study, or reproduction in the Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau (IHSB) office and in each sub-grantee's office on regular workdays during regular office hours. REPRODUCTION OF MANUAL PAGES Copies of manual pages, necessary to determine whether a Fair Hearing should be requested, or to prepare for a Fair Hearing, will be provided at no charge. For copies of manual pages requested for all other purposes, there may be, depending on the office, a charge of 10¢ per page. 1.3 The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) LIHEAP AND ACTIVITIES: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was established to assist eligible households to offset the rising costs of home energy that are excessive in relation to household income. The program is designed to reach this goal through the provision of Emergency Assistance payments, Heating Assistance payments and Weatherization of the eligible household's home. LIHEAP benefit awards are established to ensure that the highest level of assistance is provided to those with the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs in relation to income, with consideration for family size.