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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual providing their social security number. If staff is in doubt they are speaking with the client, even after the individual has verified themselves, they should immediately seek guidance from their supervisor.
A. Information on Household Provided by Utility Any and all information/data provided to the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services by utility/energy vendor(s) shall remain confidential except as specified in this paragraph. Any and all information/data provided to the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services by the utility/energy vendor(s) shall be used by the Division for the purpose of establishing the eligibility and fixed annual credit benefit of the household. The Division of Welfare and Supportive Services may share any and all information/data provided by the utility/ energy vendor(s) with the Housing Division for the purpose of targeting households with high energy consumption. Use of information/data provided to either the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, or the Housing Division via the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, by a utility/energy vendor(s) for any reason other than the purposes stated here is prohibited. B. Disclosure of Information Information may be disclosed about applicant/client households to: I. Clients, authorized representatives, or an adult household member listed on the application who wants to review their case record for information used in the eligibility determination. All other disclosures require a written statement from the client, e.g., an adult child of an elderly EAP client wanting to assist in resolving a case problem for the parent. The client’s written permission must note the topics and/or parameters of what can be discussed within the case record. Withhold confidential information from the case record such as 1) names of persons who have disclosed information about the household without the household’s knowledge, and 2) the nature or status of pending criminal prosecution; II. Persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of government or government-aided assistance programs based on need; III. Utility/energy vendor employees; IV. Local, state or federal enforcement officials, for investigation of alleged waste, fraud or abuse; V. Other non-government assistance programs based on need, with written permission of the applicant; VI. Weatherization Assistance Program, Housing Division, Department of Business and Industry; and, VII. Government agencies conducting case audits, reviewing expenditure reports, or conducting financial reviews. Refer all requests from federal, state, or local law enforcement officials for case information to the local Investigations and Recovery Unit supervisor. MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 8 - Section 1000 - Case Management