Page 62

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

seasonal. However, for the consistently low-income customer, the monthly payment amount may still be unmanageable and therefore discourage his participation.

Neither the vendors nor the LIHEAP recipients can be required to participate in budget payment plans. However, the county social service office should strongly encourage both vendors and customers to negotiate in advance some type of reasonable payment arrangement for heating costs not covered by LIHEAP.