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. Pay client directly in the following situations: - Vendor refuses to participate in the LIHEAP program or has been removed from the list of participating vendors - The household pays for heat as an undesignated part of rent - The heating bill is in the name of a non-household member (due to death of household member, incarceration of household member, a household leaving the household, or poor credit history of household members making them unable to obtain utilities in their own name) - Third-party billing - Applicant is a roomer. A roomer is defined as an individual whose payment for lodging in a room includes heat and may include a private bathroom or one of the following: board, kitchen or bathroom privileges on a shared basis, or light housekeeping duties. In these situations payments are made directly to the recipient. These account for 1.5% of all Cash payments and .3% of Crisis payments. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? Beginning from the program start date, the LIHEAP administering agency will send the applicant a written notice of the decision on eligibility within 30 days of the date of application. (1) The written notice will include an explanation of fair hearing rights and procedures. (2) The written notice will include the following: (i) If eligible. If the household is eligible, the written notice will include the type and amount of the benefit and the names of the payee. (ii) If ineligible. If the household is ineligible, the written notice will indicate the reason for the decision of ineligibility and provide a reference to the regulatory basis for the decision of ineligibility. DHS will give households that register for or access their "MyCOMPASSAccount" online the option to receive notices electronically instead of through traditional paper mail. Households that opt to receive electronic notices will be required to electronically sign a disclosure statement in which they agree to receive and read the electronic notices sent by the State agency. Users who opt to receive electronic notices must provide a valid email address, and the State agency will verify the email address provided by the user. Once the user is registered to receive electronic notices, he or she will receive a confirmation e-mail and a hard copy paper notice with instructions on how to login to their account to view notices. When a notice is available electronically, the household will receive an e-mail notification with a link to the client's "MyCOMPASSAccount," where the household can login to view the notice. MyCOMPASSAccount is on a secure website that will protect the household's information through browser encryption, user name and password, time-out feature, and security questions 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? Home energy suppliers must sign a Vendor Agreement with the Department agreeing to this condition. Suppliers may be subject to auditing by the Department. 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? Home energy suppliers must sign a Vendor Agreement with the Department agreeing to this condition. Suppliers may be subject to auditing by the Department. 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.