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Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Energy Assistance Program Manual F. Collection of Claim

I. Open Cases 1. Vendor Payment: If the claim is collectible by recouping monies credited to the household’s utility vendor, immediate action shall be taken by the EAP worker to notify the utility vendor(s) to return any unused monies to the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. These monies shall be deducted from the claim balance owed by the household. If after this is accomplished, a claim balance remains, the case shall be referred to the I&R Unit for recovery. See “Direct Payment” below. 2. Direct Payment: If the claim must be collected directly from the household, it shall be referred to the I&R Unit for recovery. It is I&R’s responsibility to contact the household, send demand letters, and keep an account of all household payments toward the claim until the claim is paid. If a claim balance remains and the household applies for benefits in the subsequent program year, the claim balance may be deducted from the subsequent year’s benefits to satisfy the claim if the household is eligible and agrees to amend any previous repayment agreement negotiated with the division. This can be accomplished without regard to whether the household receives a vendor payment or direct payment. Once these benefits are withheld, the I&R Unit shall be notified so their debtor file can record the “collection.” II. Closed Cases Recovery of claims for closed cases fall within the functional responsibilities of the I&R Unit. Notifications, follow-up and enforcement actions will be accomplished through I&R personnel. Closed cases with outstanding claims are not purged from the applicable EAP office. 1302 INTENTIONAL PROGRAM VIOLATIONS (IPVs) A. IPV Defined I. An Intentional Program Violation is an action by an individual/household member for the purpose of establishing or maintaining program eligibility, or increasing or preventing a benefit reduction when they: 1. Make a false or misleading oral or written statement, or misrepresented, concealed or withheld information; or 2. Commit an act that violates Nevada Revised Statute 422A.700 or intentionally violates any rule or regulation established by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services; or 3. Make an attempt to obtain, increase or continue energy benefits for themselves or others to which they would otherwise not be entitled to; or 4. Receive energy benefits to which they would otherwise not be entitled; or MTL 01/24 June 25, 2024 - 3 - Section 1300 – Overpayments and IPVs