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ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Section One: Application Process Intake, Operations & Policy Manual Program Year 2026 28 Please Note: ➢ Any local forms with signature lines must be signed. ➢ Additional file/documentation may be required by agency. Staff should verify policies and guidelines with their local energy assistance coordinator. ➢ If changes are made to the client record/payment in OPUS after the initial intake, the household must be “re-qualified” in the OPUS system for these changes to be reflected. Pending Applications Applications that need additional eligibility verification may be placed in a pending file or placed on “Hold” in OPUS. Applicants should be informed that it is their responsibility to provide the additional information promptly. Pending applications or applications on Hold must be held a minimum of fifteen (15) calendar days and a “Notice of Action” (NOA) containing the following information must be provided to the applicant (a copy of any and all NOA’s sent to applicants must be retained in the client file): • Reason the application has been pended • Information needed to complete the application • Date by which the information is to be provided • Result if information is not received by deadline (including denial of application) Applicants may be denied after the appropriate pending period as detailed above. ➢ Pending applications should generally not be held in pending status in excess of 90 days without justification. OHCS compliance receives a daily report of any payments pending in excess of 90 days in OPUS and will contact agencies with routinely habitual payments exceeding this timeline to discuss compliance remedies and any necessary actions deemed appropriate to remedy the situation.