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. The grantee also makes payments directly to eligible households under the following conditions: household’s primary fuel type is wood or coal; fuel tank capacity less than 100 gallons; renters with heat/cooling included in the rent; households where no vendor contract for a specific fuel type exists for their locality; energy source can only be provided by a unique vendor and no vendor contracts exists (i.e., liquid propane, electricity or natural gas); an appeal decision requires it; the household picks up oil/kerosene from an island pump; and eligible households who have their utility payment automatically debited/withdrawn as verified. In Virginia there are approximately five government owned utilities/ municipalities that do not particiapte in the EAP. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? When the case is approved, the client is mailed a system generated approval notice (Client Notice of Action) that explains the type and amount of services the household has been approved to receive. Note: For households receiving direct payments, in addition to a check, the grantee mails a system generated Client Notice of Action indicating the benefit amount authorized. At the end of each component, the grantee mails a system generated payment notice (Notice of Payments Made) to each eligible household. The payment notice lists payments made on behalf of the client for each component. Note: households who only receive direct payments do not receive these payment notices. 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? EAP vendors must sign an agreement (see Attachment II) with the VDSS. The agreement specifies that the vendor will comply with all billing instructions and guidelines provided by VDSS for each component. EAP vendors must provide documentation to support payment requests. All equipment purchases require a recipient signature on the credit authorization/work order when submitted for payment. The state will seek correction of identified noncompliance or terminate the agreement. In addition, the VDSS mails recipient households a notice at the end of each component that lists all vendor payments made on their behalf that season. If the client disagrees with the amount paid according to the notice, the VDSS follows up with the vendor to confirm all payments were properly credited to the client’s account. 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? EAP vendors must sign an agreement with the VDSS. The agreement specifies that the vendor will not discriminate against or adversely treat any eligible household in regard to terms and conditions of sale, credit, delivery, or service. 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.