Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) Crisis
Assistance can be provided to persons who have already lost service or are in
immediate danger of losing service only under one of the conditions listed in
paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection, and shall not exceed the caps as
defined in §
6.309 of this subchapter (relating
to Types of Assistance and Benefit Levels):
(1) Extreme Weather Conditions, as defined in
§
6.301 of this subchapter (relating
to Background and Definitions), with assistance provided within 48
hours;
(2) Disaster, as defined in
§
6.301 of this subchapter, with
assistance provided within 48 hours; or
(3) Life Threatening Crisis, as defined in
§
6.301 of this subchapter, with
assistance provided within 18 hours.
(b) In order to resolve the crisis,
Subrecipient shall ensure that for customers assisted through Crisis Assistance
services are provided within the timeframes as described in subsection (a) of
this section. The time limit commences upon completion of the application
process. The application process is considered complete when an agency
representative accepts an application and completes the eligibility process.
Subrecipient must maintain written documentation in customer files showing
crises resolved within the appropriate timeframe. The Department may disallow
improperly documented Expenditures.
(c) Low Income Households as defined in
§
6.2 of this chapter (relating to
Definitions) may be eligible for any one or more of the types of assistance
listed in paragraphs (1) - (8) of this subsection:
(1) Payment of utilities or fuel bills and
utility bill deposits necessary to retain heating or cooling.
(2) Emergency deliveries of fuel up to 250
gallons per crisis per Household, at the prevailing price. This benefit may
include coverage for tank pressure testing.
(3) Utility reconnection costs.
(4) Blankets, as tangible benefits to keep
individuals warm.
(5) For
Non-Vulnerable Populations meeting the conditions described in subsection (a)
of this section, service and repair of existing heating and cooling units is
allowed when the Household has an inoperable heating or cooling system or the
system is not functioning according to its intended purpose. If a component(s)
of the heating or cooling system cannot be repaired using parts, the
Subrecipient can replace the component(s) in order to repair the heating or
cooling system. When a heating or cooling system is nonexistent, purchase of
heating or cooling, or heating and cooling units for up to $7,500 is allowed.
The cost shall not exceed $7,500 and will not be counted towards the total
maximum benefit level per Household under the Crisis Assistance
Component.
(6) When a Household
meets the definition of Life Threatening Crisis, purchase of portable cooling
and/or heating units, window units, evaporative coolers, and mini splits is
allowable. Units must be Energy Star®. In cases where the type of unit is
not Energy Star®, or if Energy Star® units are not available due to
supply shortages, Subrecipient may purchase the highest rated unit available.
Purchase of more than two of these types of units for a Household requires
prior written approval from the Department.
(7) Purchase of fans. The number, type, size
and cost of these items may not exceed the minimum needed to resolve the
crisis.
(8) If necessary, the
purchase of a generator is allowable when a Household meets the definition of
Life Threatening Crisis.
(d) When Disasters result in energy supply
shortages or other energy-related emergencies, CEAP will allow home energy
related expenditures for:
(1) Temporary
Shelter in the limited instances that supply of power to the Dwelling Unit is
disrupted causing a temporary evacuation.
(2) Cost to temporary Shelter or house
individuals in hotel, apartments or other living situations in which homes have
been destroyed or damaged when health and safety is endangered by loss of
access to heating and cooling.
(3)
Costs for transportation (e.g., cars, shuttles, buses) to move the individuals
away from the crisis area to Shelters when health and safety is endangered by
loss of access to heating and cooling.
(e) Subrecipient may request a waiver from
the Executive Director or designee for the 18 and 48 hour timeframes in the
case of a Natural Disaster. The Executive Director or designee may grant a
waiver if good cause is found.
(f)
Benefit Level for Crisis Assistance:
(1)
Crisis Assistance for one Household cannot exceed the maximum allowable benefit
level in one Program Year as defined in §
6.309 of this subchapter. If a
Household's Crisis Assistance needs exceed that maximum allowable benefit,
Subrecipient may pay up to the Crisis Assistance limit only if the remaining
amount of Household need can be paid from other funds to resolve the crisis. If
the Household's crisis requires more than the Household limit to resolve and no
other funds are available, the crisis exceeds the scope of this
Component.
(2) Payments may not
exceed Household's actual utility bill.
(3) Payments may not exceed the Maximum
Household allowable assistance benefit level.
(4) Temporary Shelter not to exceed the
annual Household benefit limit for the duration of the Contract Term.
