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. When there is no available home energy supplier with a current LIHEAP vendor agreement on file or when heat is included in rent, LIHEAP benefits are awarded directly to the household by check. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? Clients are notified of the amount of assistance they are eligible for at the time intake is completed. This information will be provided for them in writing on a LIHEAP application form, referred to as the Household Information Form (HIF), which is signed by the primary applicant. In instances where program eligibility and benefit cannot be determined at the completion of intake, the client will receive a letter confirming the household’s eligibility status as well as their benefit amount, or the information will be made available to the client through alternate means, if applicable. 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? Energy vendors must be approved and sign a bi-annual LIHEAP vendor agreement in order to receive LIHEAP payments. In that agreement, it states that energy vendors must “not treat adversely, or discriminate against any household that receives LIHEAP payments, either in the cost of the goods supplied or the services provided.“ 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? Local administering agencies work directly with the energy suppliers in their area. These vendors understand the program requirements, and they sign an annual LIHEAP vendor agreement that states they may not, “treat adversely, or discriminate against any household that receives LIHEAP payments, either in the cost of the goods supplied or the services provided.” 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.