Energy crisis intervention
Of the funds available to each State under subsection (a), a reasonable amount based on data from prior years shall be reserved until March 15 of each program year by each State for energy crisis intervention. The program for which funds are reserved by this subsection shall be administered by public or nonprofit entities which have experience in administering energy crisis programs under the Low-Income Energy Assistance Act of 1980, or under this subchapter, 1 1 See References in Text note below. experience in assisting low-income individuals in the area to be served, the capacity to undertake a timely and effective energy crisis intervention program, and the ability to carry out the program in local communities. The program for which funds are reserved under this subsection shall—
(1)#
not later than 48 hours after a household applies for energy crisis benefits, provide some form of assistance that will resolve the energy crisis if such household is eligible to receive such benefits;
(2)#
not later than 18 hours after a household applies for crisis benefits, provide some form of assistance that will resolve the energy crisis if such household is eligible to receive such benefits and is in a life-threatening situation; and
(3)#
require each entity that administers such program—
(A) to accept applications for energy crisis benefits at sites that are geographically accessible to all households in the area to be served by such entity; and
(B) to provide to low-income individuals who are physically infirm the means— (i) to submit applications for energy crisis benefits without leaving their residences; or (ii) to travel to the sites at which such applications are accepted by such entity.
(3)(A)#
to accept applications for energy crisis benefits at sites that are geographically accessible to all households in the area to be served by such entity; and
(3)(B)#
to provide to low-income individuals who are physically infirm the means—
(i) to submit applications for energy crisis benefits without leaving their residences; or
(ii) to travel to the sites at which such applications are accepted by such entity.
(3)(B)(i)#
to submit applications for energy crisis benefits without leaving their residences; or