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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
In addition, numerous data edits exist within the LIHEAP system to ensure that data is accurate and benefits are issued correctly.
The state office employs the following monitoring tools:
Estimated Cost of Heating Report – list of households whose cumulative payment amount for the heating season deviates from the estimated cost of heating by $250 or more. Report is reviewed and questionable payment amounts are investigated.
Payment Summary Notice – when a case closes or at the end of the heating season, households are sent a payment summary notice that lists all payments that have been made on behalf of the household. Household is instructed to review and report any discrepancies.
Quality Assurance Reviews - a statewide monthly random sample of fifteen (15) LIHEAP cases that received a payment are reviewed by the Quality Assurance Unit staff.
The sample consists of one (1) case per region along with an additional two (2) random selections from the statewide sample. In addition, a statewide monthly random sample of five (5) denied/closed cases are selected and reviewed.
The results of the reviews are shared with the eligibility worker, zone director and the Policy and System Support (PaSS) Unit. If overpayments exist as a result of the review, overpayments are established regardless if it is due to an agency or recipient error. At the time an overpayment is established, the family is informed of the overpaid amount and their responsibility for repayment.
Error trends are used to identify areas of the program in need of training or possible policy revisions. LIHEAP e-Learning courses are available online 24 hours a day for eligibility workers to develop competency and skills in applying LIHEAP policy. Policy