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2026 - 2027 I PY27 NH Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) Procedures Manual 45 11. FRAUD PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
Fraud Prevention and Reporting
Fraud is an event of suspected intentional deception, omission, or concealment made for business or personal gain, to assist or harm others and/or to misuse program funds. CAAs must have internal controls to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud by applicants, employees, and energy vendors. This includes but is not limited to:
• Separation of duties for application intake, data entry, verification and certification, and benefit payments • Self-monitoring activities to reduce, find, and correct errors that may occur during intake, certification, and fiscal activities • Ensuring policies are in place regarding how fraudulent claims will be handled • Taking action when credible reports of fraud are received If any CAA employee or FAP applicant suspects fraud they should make a report to either the FAP Director at the CAA or directly to the NH Department of Energy. This may be a concern about misinformation from applicants or any concerns about fraud by any CAA staff. It could also include any concerns about fraud or abuse by their energy vendor in regards to their FAP benefit, such as not crediting the entire benefit to the account.
Fuel Assistance vendors sign an agreement in order to participate in the program. They agree to keep customers’ participation in the program confidential, to not treat customers adversely because of the assistance and to not discriminate in the cost or related services for any customers receiving FAP assistance. They also agree to apply any FAP benefit appropriately and to maintain accurate records. If anyone is concerned that a vendor is not meeting these requirements, they should make a report to either the FAP Director at the CAA or directly to the NH Department of Energy.
Conflict of Interest
Any application for a current CAA employee, relative of a CAA employee, former CAA employee, or a friend of that CAA employee shall be reviewed and approved by a staff person at a supervisory level or higher. Staff members should not be involved in the processing of an application for family members or friends with whom they have an established relationship.