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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 37 8. ENERGY EMERGENCY GUIDANCE

The New Hampshire Fuel Assistance Program procedures are intended to ensure that low- income households have access to services in a timely manner and access to emergency services on an immediate basis to prevent any household from experiencing a life-threatening hardship due to an energy emergency. The FAP definition of a response to an "energy emergency" is drawn directly from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 2604.

The program shall be administered by public or nonprofit entities that have experience in administering energy crisis programs under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1980 or experience in assisting low-income individuals in the area to be served, the capacity to undertake a timely and effective energy crisis intervention program, and the ability to carry out the program in local communities. Upon receipt of the federal grant award and opening of the program, typically around December 1, the program shall:

• Prevent the loss of home energy when the applicant is at imminent risk of losing heat due to low fuel amounts, an impending disconnection, or an eviction notice if heat is included in rent. No later than 48 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, the CAA will provide some form of assistance that will resolve the energy crisis if such household is eligible to receive such benefits and is facing an energy emergency but not a life-threatening situation.

• Restore home energy if the applicant has no heat. No later than 18 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, provide some form of assistance that will restore the use of home energy if such household is eligible to receive such benefits and is in a life-threatening situation.

• Require each entity that administers such program to:

a) accept applications for energy crisis benefits at sites that are geographically accessible to all households in the area to be served by such entity; and

b) provide low-income individuals who are physically infirm with the means to submit applications for energy crisis benefits without leaving their residences or traveling to the sites at which such applications are accepted.

An energy emergency requiring a response within 48 hours after application may include applicants with low-heat, utility shut-off, or rental eviction.