Energy Programs

400.04 BENEFIT LEVELS AND METHODS OF PAYMENTS

A. Benefit Levels

1. If eligible and funds are available, a household may receive benefits more than one time during a State fiscal year, which is defined as July through June.

2. The maximum allowed benefit amount per State fiscal year is $600. The maximum allowed benefit amount can be up to $600 per application, per crisis situation.

3. Benefits may vary based upon the amount needed to alleviate the crisis; however, benefits cannot exceed $600 and/or the maximum allowed benefit amount per State fiscal year.

4. If more than the maximum allowed benefit amount is needed to alleviate the crisis, you must:

• Determine if the household has funds available and/or there are other community resources that can be used in conjunction with CIP; or
• Negotiate with the vendor to alleviate the crisis for the maximum CIP payment allowed; or
• Counsel the applicant on any available options which can be used. Use this option only if you are unable to alleviate the crisis using 1. or 2. above.
• If you are unable to alleviate the crisis by one of the means listed above, deny the crisis application.

5. If less than the maximum allowed benefit amount is needed to alleviate the crisis, authorize the lesser amount. Authorize only the amount needed to alleviate the crisis situation up to the maximum allowed benefit amount.

B. Method of Payment

Methods of payment include but are not limited to:

1. Fuel payments to the vendor;

2. Voucher payments;

3. Direct Vendor payments;

4. Two-party check

C. Use of Funds

Each county must use CIP funds to alleviate crisis situations, based on client need for the following:

1. Utility deposits to a heating or cooling supplier;

NOTE: Deposits have to be tied to a crisis.

2. Heating bills where the heating source may include gas, fuel oil, kerosene, wood, coal, etc.;

3. Bulk purchases of air conditioners, heating units, and the like;

NOTE: Items purchased in bulk cannot be accounted for in the CIP system until linked with an actual client.

4. Temporary shelter, which includes, but is not limited to, rent payments or hotel/motel expenses that serve to alleviate a heating or cooling crisis.

5. Utility Payments (for all heating or cooling sources) expense, which include, but are not limited to:

• Past due bills with a disconnect notice, or
• Connection or reconnection fees.

6. Home Repairs which include, but are not limited to:

• Heating or cooling appliance replacement or repair;
• Insulation replacement;
• Necessary wiring/circuit board replacements to be able to heat or cool home;
• Replacement/repair of windows, roofs, walls; or
• Any repair/replacement completed that would allow households the ability to heat or cool their homes.

7. In-kind services such as blankets, space heaters, and warm clothing.