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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual When an Arrearage Payment (AP) assistance request is received by the EAP office a case manager must review the case file and the EAP computer system to determine if the household previously received an Arrearage Payment. Arrearage payments are only available to applicants once every five years. For exceptions refer to Manual Section 1105 (F).

The applicant may request AP assistance on their: 1. past due heating bill (gas, propane, etc.); or 2. past due electric bill; and/or 3. past due heating and electric bill. II. Subsequent Request for AP Services Once every five years an applicant may receive AP assistance with their heating OR electric bill, if they did not include one of their vendors they would not be eligible to receive another AP for another five years. B. Counseling Applicant Requesting AP Services If an applicant requests AP services and it may be in their best interest to reconsider the request, the case manager is required to provide the applicant with the policy information necessary for them to make an informed decision, keeping in mind most households may only receive AP assistance once every five years. EXAMPLE: An applicant submits a $200 natural gas debt, while processing the case the case manager determines the household will be eligible for a $1,500 FAC benefit. The household may elect to manage the $200 debt with the FAC benefit and “save” the opportunity to request AP assistance for a future time. A prudent case manager is required to provide information to the household to aid them with their decision. Discussions with the applicant on this matter must be documented in a case narrative in the EAP system. Ultimately the decision to apply for AP assistance is the applicant’s, as other issues may factor in their decision. C. Qualifying Circumstances To be eligible for an Arrearage Payment the applicant must: I. receive their heating and/or cooling energy from a Nevada energy vendor; and II. have a past due balance accrued at their current residence; and

III. be eligible for or have received a FAC benefit in the program year; and IV. have not received an arrearage payment in the last five years (Exception: See

MS 218). Any heating and/or cooling bill with an arrearage accrued outside the state of Nevada is ineligible for payment. MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 8 - Section 1100 – Emergency Assistance