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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Division 10 Service 415 Program 415 Chapters 05 - 65 North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

Automated Vendor Billing/Payment - Procedures for Designated Primary Vendors 415-35-10 (Revised 10/1/17 ML #3512) View Archives

Most households who pay heating costs directly to a vendor will have LIHEAP payments made on their behalf directly to their designated vendor.

This method should be the most widely used when the household buys their fuel regularly from the same vendor. Generally, if the household uses two forms of heating fuel, one will be designated as the primary fuel, and the provider of that fuel will be the designated primary vendor.

Making payments to the designated, primary vendors is a four-step process:

Step 1: The eligible case is established in the computer file on the "Household Data" screen.

The "Household Data" screen is completed with a payment type of Code 01 (Vendor), the vendor's ID number, and the dates he is authorized to bill. The designated vendor will be notified by the county office using a "Notice of Action," that his customer is eligible for LIHEAP benefits, including the benefit level and the authorized time period covered. The county social service board will instruct all vendors in their service area NOT to expect any LIHEAP payments unless they have first received a "Notice of Action."

Step 2: For New Vendors Only When a LIHEAP household designates a heating vendor that is not already listed in the computer vendor file, the county will need to request the State Office assign a vendor ID and enter the new vendor into the computer file.