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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT

OF SOCIAL SERVICES ENERGY ASSISTANCE

06/16 VOLUME IX, CHAPTER G, PAGE 6

All attempts should be made to pool all available resources to prevent or alleviate the emergency.

To ensure that the energy crisis has been resolved within the timeframes specified by federal law, a verbal, faxed, or emailed authorization for assistance/service must be issued by the LDSS, to the vendor, after the case has been approved in the system. The “Notification of Eligibility for Crisis Assistance” will be used for all fax or email correspondence.

Authorization for heating equipment replacement should be made only after a vendor has determined the equipment cannot be repaired or when there is no heating equipment in the home. Upon receipt of a call from a vendor indicating that it is more feasible to replace heating equipment than to repair, the LDSS must request return or destruction of the credit authorization, close the case, and reopen the case with the new crisis type and changed benefit amount. Closure and reopening can occur the same day. See the Quick Reference Guide for appropriate closure codes.

7. ASSISTANCE PROVIDED

The following types of assistance are available when the conditions for providing assistance are met and it will ensure heat for the household: • Repair of Heating Equipment. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Replacement of Heating Equipment. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Provision of Supplemental Heating Equipment/Maintenance. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Once-per-lifetime payment of primary heat source utility security deposit per fuel type. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Payment for emergency shelter in no heat situations. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Purchase of a portable space heater for temporary use. (Nov. 1 - March 15) • Purchase of primary home heating fuel. (First work day Jan. - March 15) • Payment of primary heat utility bill. (First work day Jan. - March 15) Each type of assistance has special conditions as indicated below. a. Repair of Inoperable or Unsafe Heating Equipment (Code A)

1) This assistance can be provided when the following conditions exist:

a) The applicant, or a member of the household, owns or is responsible for the maintenance of the heating equipment. Responsibility of a renter for repair of heating equipment is determined by a lease, rental agreement, or statement in writing from the landlord that specifies the renter is responsible for the maintenance of the heating equipment. (NOTE: If the renter is not responsible for the maintenance of the heating equipment or responsibility cannot be determined, the LDSS

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