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. Seasonal fuel assistance clients that heat with firewood or wood pellets receive a cash benefit to be used to pay for wood or pellets. Clients whose heat is included in their rent receive a cash benefit to off-set the undesignated portion of their monthly rent that is applied by the landlord to pay for heat and or utilities. There are no payment exceptions for crisis fuel assistance. All payments are made to the fuel or energy supplier by the CAA. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? For seasonal fuel assistance: clients receive a printed notice by mail advising them of the amount of their benefit, applicable terms and the name of the fuel or energy dealer who received their benefit. Clients who are denied assistance also receive a printed notice by mail. Clients may also go on-line or by phone through the ESD Benefits Service Center to obtain information about the status of their seasonal assistance benefit. Information on- line and by phone are password protected. For crisis fuel assistance: clients receive a copy of their application from the CAP indicating the grant details (amount, fuel/energy type, dealer or utility paid), or if they were deniedthey get a letter with the reason for the denial which also includes their rights to appeal. 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? For seasonal fuel assistance: dealers are certified by the ESD Fuel and Utility Office and payment terms and conditions and prices are established (see: Microsoft Word - Terms Conditions 2021.doc (vermont.gov) .Included in those terms is a requirement that the fuel supplier provide to the eligible household’s periodic statements of account activity including the receipt, credit and balance of the seasonal fuel benefit. At the end of the fuel season, all certified dealers are required to submit a "Consumption and Refund Report" documenting the use of each customer's seasonal fuel assistance benefit. Annually, the F&U Office audits a selected number of dealers to confirm that billing and pricing practices are in accordance with certification requirements. The seasonal fuel benefit pays only a portion of a household's winter home heating bill. Clients are directed (in their notice referenced in 9.2 above) to contact the Economic Services Division (ESD) with questions or concerns regarding their benefit. Questions and concerns regarding account activity or pricing by the fuel supplier are referred to the F&U Office for resolution. For crisis fuel assistance: dealers and utilities submit bills for payment to the CAPs. The CAPs financial staff apply accepted accounts receivable review and payment practices. The certified dealers, the CAPs and the F&U Office cooperate fully on required adjustments (positive and negative)when payment or billing errors are identified in seasonal and/or crisis fuel assistance. 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? The terms and conditions of the fuel supplier certification agreement referenced in 9.3 above containsdiscrimination and confidentiality clauses. End of season audits of selected "Consumption and Refund Report" included a price comparison between the price charged to recipient households on specific dates with the supplier's "pricing sheet" for non-recipient customers. In addition the Fuel and Utility Office accepts and investigates any complaints regarding discrimination in prices for services and the maintenance of confidentialityby a certified fuel supplier. 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. The certification agreement that permits payments to all certified fuel suppliers, regulated and unregulated, requires annual Consumption Reports referenced in 9.3 above. That information is shared with the Weatherization Offices. Wx services prioritize their services to LIHEAP recipients, with the highest energy consumption, and with 'vulnerable' household members. 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.