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Vermont Department for Children and Families Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 3112 p.2 Crisis Fuel Notice and Appeal Rights

5. In addition to the application and case file, the Director or designee must consider one or more of the following:

i. The Appellant’s specific emergency;

ii. The predictability of the emergency;

iii. Appellant’s extenuating circumstances;

iv. Actions taken by the Appellant to avoid or minimize the emergency;

v. Whether crisis fuel benefits will alleviate the Appellant’s emergency; or

vi. Other solutions that would alleviate the Appellant’s emergency.

6. The Director or designee may waive one or more of the Community Action Agency’s policies or procedures in extraordinary circumstances in the interest of justice.

i. The Director or designee may not waive any Department rule, including these Crisis Fuel Assistance Rules, or any other legal requirement or regulation.

7. The Director or designee must consult with the Department about a review requested by an Appellant under the following circumstances:

i. The Director or designee may consult with the Department about any issue raised by an Appellant.

ii. If the Director or designee intends to uphold a denial of benefits, the Director or designee must consult with the Department.

A. The Director or designee may not deny benefits to an Appellant after a review unless the Department endorses the denial.

B. The Community Action Agency must issue crisis fuel benefits to an Appellant after a review if directed to do so by the Department.

8. The review must be completed, and the Director or designee must issue a written decision regarding the Appellant’s grievance, within one business day of receiving the request from the Appellant.