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. For all of the items requiring policy references, please access the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) Manual at: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/energy-assistance.aspx and access the following sections: Heating, please see sections 2.3.1, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.8 1. Crisis, please see sections 2.1.2, 5.2.1, and 8.2 2. Exceptions, please see sections 8.1, 8.3, and 8.4 3. 9.2 How do you notify the client of the amount of assistance paid? At the time the LIHEAP payment is sent to the vendor, a payment notification is generated and sent to the customer, indicating the amount of the payment and the vendor to whom the payment was made. When applications are completed interactively, customers are informed at the conclusion of the interview the benefit amount that will be paid to their energy provider. Additionally, each Wednesday, the Wisconsin system processes all completed applications and the system mails customer notification letters. Households receiving weatherization and/or energy related repairs receive a written work agreement of work to be performed. 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? The Department of Administration requires vendors to register for participation in the heating assistance program by completing and signing a Vendor Agreement/Contract. To register, fuel suppliers agree that clients will be: treated equally with non-LIHEAP households, not be adversely affected, e.g., the eligible household will be charged in the supplier's normal billing process, the price charged will be the price normally charged non- LIHEAP eligible households, invoices will clearly indicate the amount and cost of home energy provided, and no discrimination will occur against eligible households with respect to terms, deferred payment plans, credit, conditions of sales or discounts offered other home energy customers. In addition, Vendor Desktop Monitoring is conducted which includes a review of LIHEAP payments and fuel provided, in comparison with non-LIHEAP customers. Crisis assistance payments are only made to vendors registered for heating assistance. In addition to signing assurances guaranteeing that LIHEAP customers will be treated equally with non-LIHEAP households and will not be adversely affected, registered vendors are required to provide information on costs and procedures for emergency fuel delivery. Energy related home repair and weatherization purchases made by LIHEAP weatherization providers follow appropriate state or federal procurement guidelines and applicable material standards. 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 Department of Administration requires vendors to register for participation in the heating assistance program by completing and signing a Vendor Agreement/Contract. To register, fuel suppliers agree that customers will be: treated equally with non-LIHEAP households, not be adversely affected, e.g., the eligible household will be charged in the supplier's normal billing process, the price charged will be the price normally charged non- LIHEAP eligible households, invoices will clearly indicate the amount and cost of home energy provided, and no discrimination will occur against eligible households with respect to terms, deferred payment plans, credit, conditions of sales or discounts offered other home energy customers. In addition, Vendor Desktop Monitoring process is conducted which includes a review of LIHEAP payments and fuel provided, in comparison with non-LIHEAP customers. Crisis assistance payments are only made to vendors registered for heating assistance. In addition to signing assurances guaranteeing that LIHEAP customers will be treated equally with non-LIHEAP households and will not be adversely affected, registered vendors are required to provide information on costs and procedures for emergency fuel delivery. Energy related home repair and weatherization purchases made by LIHEAP weatherization providers follow appropriate state or federal procurement guidelines and applicable material standards. 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. Unregulated vendors are subject to the same program operation policies as regulated vendors. All vendors must register with the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) by submitting a complete and signed vendor agreement/contract before any payments are made to the vendor. Vendor access to the Home Energy Plus System is limited and does not allow vendors to enter information into the system. Vendor payments are Home Energy Plus System generated and based on approved applications. 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.