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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual if the household has exhausted all reasonable steps to obtain and provide the requested verification or if a third-party refuses or fails to provide verification. The applicant’s efforts and/or the third-party non-cooperation must be documented in the EAP system.

If the household fails to cooperate in providing information to the I&R unit, the case manager will be notified in writing to request the information from the household. If the household fails to provide the requested information within the required time period, the case is denied/terminated immediately. Any unspent benefits must be returned to DWSS by the energy vendor. The request from I&R and the outcome must be documented in the EAP system. If, at a later date the household reapplies and the previous verification is still required, the household must provide the verification before benefits can be approved. If the household fails to provide the verification within the timeframe specified on the RFI, the application will be denied. 213 REFERRALS EAP staff will refer households to other known resources should they be in need of financial, medical or other assistance. 214 UTILITY VENDOR MEDIATION EAP staff will assist applying households by mediating with the contracted utility companies and other energy vendors, when necessary. Staff may coordinate other sources of energy assistance, counsel applicants in instances where the household may be in arrears with the utility vendor and encourage them to contact and work with the local utility provider to alleviate a potential energy disconnect. 215 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS A Rights and Obligations form is part of the EAP Application, Form 2824 and must be signed and dated by the applicant/recipient and/or AR with each application prior to the approval of benefits. The Rights and Obligations outline the applicant/recipient’s rights and responsibilities as a recipient of energy assistance benefits. If the worker is face-to-face with the applicant and/or AR, the worker should ensure the applicant and/or AR reads, understands, and signs the Rights and Obligations. The original signed document must be kept in the eligibility case file and a copy provided to the applicant/representative at their request. 216 “PRUDENT PERSON” PRINCIPLE The policies and procedures included in the manual are rules for determining eligibility. It is impossible to foresee and give examples for all situations; therefore, staff is encouraged to use reason and apply good judgment in making eligibility decisions when rare and unusual situations are encountered. A reasonable decision made by staff based on the best information available using reason, logic, program knowledge, experience, and expertise in a particular situation is referred to as the “prudent person” principle. This process should only be utilized when the current policy doesn’t fit the household circumstances, or the existing policy is unclear. MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 9 - Section 200 – Application Processing