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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual B. Disqualification Penalties

Accused individuals found to have committed an IPV either through an administrative disqualification hearing or by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, or have signed a disqualification waiver agreement, are ineligible for Energy Assistance Program benefits for: I. First Violation

One program year (State fiscal year) II. Second Violation

Two program years (State fiscal year) III. Third Violation or subsequent violation Permanently Ineligible (lifetime) C. Administrative Disqualification/Penalty Waiver, Form 6021-AF An Administrative Disqualification/Penalty Waiver, Form 6021-AF, is used to disqualify an individual found to have committed an Intentional Program Violation. The form’s purpose is: I. to formally notify the accused, before the hearing date, of the Division’s charge of an IPV; and II. to allow the accused the opportunity to waive the right to an impartial review by the hearing authority thereby accepting the disqualification penalty. D. IPV Repository The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Investigations and Recovery (I&R) Unit in Central Office maintains a central repository for all prior IPVs. Before submitting the Administrative Disqualification/Penalty Waiver, the caseworker must verify if prior IPV penalties have been imposed. E. Identification of IPVs International Program Violations may be identified through a variety of means. The violation does not have to be discovered through an investigation or omission by the applicant or recipient, and does not have to include an incorrect payment of benefits. The mere attempt to acquire benefits incorrectly may be reason enough to pursue disqualification penalties. Identification may be accomplished through, but is not limited to, collateral contacts, automated interfaces, case investigations, or eligibility interviews. F. Referral Procedures for IPVs

I. Known IPV If an EAP employee has verification an IPV has occurred, the worker must request I&R to initiate an IPV action against the applicant(s)/recipient(s) who misrepresented or withheld information, falsified documents or attempted any other action to secure benefits to which they were not entitled to. MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 5 - Section 1300 – Overpayments and IPVs