9 Energy Suppliers,, 2605(b)(7) - Assurance 7

9.1 Do you make payments directly to home energy suppliers? Heating Yes No Cooling Yes No Crisis Yes No Are there exceptions? Yes No If yes, Describe. Renters that are roomers receive direct payments. Direct payments are also made to applicants when their home energy supplier is not a participating supplier, or they are approved for a reimbursement for the purchase or repair of cooling equipment. Direct payments are in the form of an Oklahoma Master Debit Card or direct deposit to a pre-registered bank account, the client has set up previously to receive other OKDHS public assistance benefits. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? For life-threatening households, Energy Assistance eligibility staff verbally advises the household of an approval when possible. A payment notice is mailed to the client upon payment of a benefit. Most notices should arrive within a week of approval. If there is a problem, the notice may be delayed until two to three weeks. 9.3 How do you assure that the home energy supplier will charge the eligible household, in the normal billing process, the difference between the actual cost of the home energy and the amount of the payment? In accepting a payment from OKDHS on behalf of a household, the energy supplier agrees to: 1. Not charge both the household and OKDHS for the same services. 9.4 How do you assure that no household receiving assistance under this title will be treated adversely because of their receipt of LIHEAP assistance? In accepting a payment from OKDHS on behalf of a household, the energy supplier agrees to: 2. Assure that no customer/household receiving LIHEAP benefits will be treated adversely because of assistance under applicable provision of state law or public regulatory requirements; and Not discriminate against the eligible LIHEAP customer, either in cost of the goods supplied or the services provided 9.5. Do you make payments contingent on unregulated vendors taking appropriate measures to alleviate the energy burdens of eligible households? Yes No If so, describe the measures unregulated vendors may take. Attach a copy of the template statewide vendor agreement or a policy that indicates local agreements must adhere to statewide policies and assurances. If any of the above questions require further explanation or clarification that could not be made in the fields provided, attach a document with said explanation here.