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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 21

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 46 Chapter 21 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

When this occurs, the reason for the check return must be obtained and an effort made to ensure the client receives the benefits to which he is entitled. The check may be rewritten by the Office of Client Accounts as a direct or vendor payment depending upon the client's wishes, provided he is eligible for the payment. This also applies when the vendor has returned only part of the LIEAP payment. 21.6.5.D Client Refuses to Accept the LIEAP Check When the client refuses to accept the LIEAP or a vendor payment, the Worker must determine the reason for refusal and clarify any confusion on the part of the client. If the client continues to refuse the payment, it is returned to the Office of Client Accounts with a memorandum explaining why the check is being returned. 21.6.6 LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CHECKS LIEAP clients who claim that their checks were lost, stolen, or destroyed must complete an affidavit attesting to the specific occurrence. Form DFA-36, with the appropriate changes in terminology to reflect the LIEAP check, is used for this purpose. This request for a stop payment action must be made as soon as possible by sending the affidavit with a memorandum of explanation to the Office of Client Accounts. This action cannot be requested by telephone and no action will be taken without the written affidavit. The client must be informed that he must wait up to 30 days from the date of the stop payment action in order to receive his check. No checks are written at the local level to replace lost, stolen or destroyed checks. After the check has been cleared by the State Treasurer’s office, payment is made promptly to the client. If the client is placed in an emergency situation as a result of the stop payment action, the client may submit an Emergency LIEAP application. NOTE: Checks received in the local office must be forwarded to the Office of Client Accounts.