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ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Section One: Application Process Intake, Operations & Policy Manual Program Year 2026 29 Denied Applications An application is denied if the applicant fails to meet program eligibility requirements at the time of application. Denied applications must be inserted into the OPUS system and must include an authorization number or other unique identifier for tracking purposes (changing the OPUS generated authorization number to “DENIED” or something generic is not acceptable). Applicants must be provided with a copy of the application, or a notice of action (NOA) which outlines the reason for their denial. For households whose applications were pended then denied due to non-completion, the original pending notice (see above section, Pending Applications) is sufficient notice of denial. All notices of denial (including pending notices) must include information regarding fair hearings. Any individual whose claim for LIHEAP or OEAP assistance is denied, or not processed with reasonable promptness, is entitled to ask for a fair hearing at the local agency level. The reason for denial must be documented. All denied applications must be kept on file and have an intake and authorizing signature. Unless a client refuses, a client signature is required on all denied applications. If refused, please note “Refused” in place of the client signature. Clients may contact Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) within 30 days of the hearing decision to request that OHCS review the hearing decision for material deficiencies. The request for OHCS review must be in writing and delivered or mailed to OHCS at 725 Summer St NE Suite B, Salem OR 97301, or by email to energyservices@hcs.oregon.gov. Review by OHCS, and the manner thereof, is at the sole discretion of OHCS. Voided Applications An application is voided when it is found to be in error or when it is withdrawn by the applicant after it has been signed by an intake worker but not batched in OPUS (Voids are to be used when the agency created an error resulting in the need for a void). Applications already batched in OPUS can only be voided by OHCS. Voided applications do not need to be printed but the reason for voiding an application must be documented in OPUS.