1. Energy Crisis Intervention Program Community Action Agency Training
MaineHousing Energy & Housing Services
December 6, 2018

2. Welcome

3. Energy Crisis Intervention Program

4. 2/16/2019
Purpose
Avert Energy or Life Threatening Crisis (November 1 thru April 30)
2015/2016 HEAP Training

5. Crisis must be averted within 48 hours
Energy Crisis
Has Heating System or Heating Source that is safe to operate, and supply of Home Energy for the Heating System/Source
Crisis must be averted within 48 hours

6. Crisis must be averted within 18 hours
Life Threatening Crisis
Household is currently without heat. No operable Heating System or Heating Source.
Crisis must be averted within 18 hours

7. Heating System Definition
Permanently installed system that is used to heat the Dwelling Unit. A portable space heater is not considered to be a Heating System.

8. Heating Source Definition
Any device used to provide heat to a Dwelling Unit.

9. Energy or Life Threatening? Let’s look at some examples (page 1)

10. Allowable Measures Home Energy deliveries Utility disconnects
Minor Heating System repairs

11. PY 2018 ECIP Benefits Fuel Deliveries = 2,872 Households
Total Benefits = $820,186
Repairs = 27 Households
Total Benefits = $7,680
Utility Disconnects = 62 Households
Total Benefits = $15,399

12. Other Allowable Uses Provisional Measures
Space heaters
Temporary relocation
Rent assistance for eviction due to non-payment of rent

13. Maximum Benefit $400 Per Program Year
October 25, 2017
Maximum Benefit
$400 Per Program Year
Household may receive more than one ECIP benefit (total benefits cannot exceed $400)
PY 2018 ECIP Training

14. Ineligible if household:
Has received maximum ECIP for Program Year
Has safe operating Heating System that adequately heats home during severe weather and has more than 3-day supply of Home Energy
Client has means to avert or resolve crisis

15. Determining Eligibility

16. Determining Eligibility
Eligible Standard HEAP Application
ECIP Only Application

17. Pending Standard Application
Can pending application be certified?
Will vendor do upfront delivery?

18. Upfront Delivery
Standard LIHEAP Application must be certified in MERAC
or fax authorization to Vendor
Primary Applicant name and account number
Delivery address
Approved fuel type and dollar amount authorized
Required delivery timeframe (18 or 48 hours)

19. ECIP Only Application
Process and documentation same as Standard LIHEAP Application
Only difference – income verification period may be 1 month or 30 days prior to ECIP Only date of application

20. ECIP Only Application One application per Program Year
October 25, 2017
ECIP Only Application
One application per Program Year
One benefit for a single crisis event
Certified-eligible Standard Application required for additional ECIP benefits
PY 2018 ECIP Training

21. Reminders
ECIP Only Application must be processed and fully documented separately from Household’s Standard Application
Each file must contain appropriate documentation to demonstrate Household’s eligibility

22. Reminders
Income verification periods must be based on Dates of Application corresponding to ECIP Only and Standard Applications
Signatures and dates must be consistent with the distinct Dates of Application for ECIP Only and Standard Applications

23. Applicant with unresolved Overpayment is not eligible for ECIP unless they have entered into and are in compliance with terms of repayment agreement with MaineHousing
Ineligible

24. Rent / Subsidized with Heat
Ineligible
Rent / Subsidized with Heat
ECIP cannot pay for Home Energy deliveries or Heating System repairs

25. Quiz – Eligible for ECIP? (Pages 2 & 3)

26. ECIP Emergency Worksheet
(page 4)

27. ECIP Emergency Worksheet
Required for all ECIP requests and ECIP Only Applications
Used to gather and document Household’s situation and eligibility for ECIP

28. Reminders
ECIP Worksheet must be legible and complete (all applicable fields)
Use ECIP Comments (MERAC) to fully document or clarify information

29. Status of Home Energy Service
Federal reporting requirement
Determine type of crisis Energy or Life Threatening

30. Types of Emergencies Fuel Emergency Utility Disconnect
Heating System Emergency
Eviction Emergency

31. Fuel Emergency

32. No heat or risk of losing heat
2/16/2019
Household may be eligible if:
No heat or risk of losing heat
≤ 1/8 tank of oil/kerosene
≤ 25% in propane tank
≤ 3-day supply wood, pellets, coal, etc.
2015/2016 Vendor Training

33. Must be pre-authorized by CAA and included on purchase order
ECIP - Allowable Uses
Home Energy type listed on PO
Delivery charges
Restart or safety check fees
Must be pre-authorized by CAA and included on purchase order

34. 2/16/2019
Remaining Benefits
Any remaining HEAP benefits and/or TANF Supplemental credits must be used in conjunction with or in lieu of ECIP funds
2015/2016 HEAP Training

35. ECIP Role-Play Stan Malone (page 5)

36. Completing ECIP Emergency Worksheet

37. What type of crisis? Energy Crisis (has heat)
Has supply of Home Energy and Heating System or Source that is safe to operate
Life Threatening (no heat)
Does not have an operable Heating Source or Heating System

38. Is information consistent?
Gather information from Applicant and verify with Vendor
Does it make sense?
Is information consistent?

39. Contact Vendor to:
Verify last delivery information – i.e. date and number of units delivered
Determine if Vendor will do an upfront delivery pending receipt of HEAP Benefit
Confirm Vendor can make delivery within required timeframe (i.e. 18 or 48 hours)

40. Contact Vendor to: Confirm cash price per unit
Determine amount of delivery charge (if any)
Identify need and charges for restart or safety check

41. Determining ECIP Purchase Order Amount

42. Determining ECIP PO Amount
Vendor confirms unit price, dollar amount and units to be covered by:
Remaining HEAP benefits and TANF Supplemental credits
ECIP and amount of delivery charge or service (if applicable)

43. Stan Malone Remaining HEAP Benefit = $98.00
2/16/2019
Stan Malone
Remaining HEAP Benefit = $98.00
Cash Price (kerosene) = $3.57 per gallon
$25.00 restart fee
2015/2016 HEAP Training

44. HEAP Units = 28 gallons ECIP Purchase Order = $282.04
$98.00
$3.50
HEAP Balance
Unit Price (DOR)
ECIP Purchase Order = $282.04
Cash Price
$3.57
Units
72 gal.
Restart Fee
$25.00

45. John Doe – What if… (page 6)

46. Case Notes for John Doe (page 7)
What if…
Applicant has remaining HEAP or TANF Supplemental benefits, but Vendor is unable to make ECIP delivery within required timeframe? CAA can use another HEAP Vendor and document file accordingly. No waiver required.
Case Notes for John Doe (page 7)

47. Utility Disconnection

48. Facing a heat or heat-related crisis
2/16/2019
Household may be eligible if:
Facing a heat or heat-related crisis
Utility service is necessary to operate Heating System, and is shut-off or scheduled for disconnection
2015/2016 Vendor Training

49. Electricity and Natural Gas
Does Primary Heating System require utility service?
Is Household member responsible for utility account that services Primary Heating System?

50. Ineligible if household:
Utility service used to operate the Heating System is not in a Household member’s name
Has safe operating Heating System that adequately heats home during severe weather and has more than 3-day supply of Home Energy

51. Ineligible if household:
Has received maximum ECIP for Program Year
Can negotiate and pay terms of payment plan
Has financial means to restore or maintain service

52. 2/16/2019
Use of ECIP Benefits
May be applied to surcharges, reconnection charges and penalty fees if:
Related to final disconnect notice or shut-off
Included in purchase order amount
2015/2016 HEAP Training

53. Remaining Benefits on Account
2/16/2019
Remaining Benefits on Account
HEAP, TANF Supplemental and LIAP benefits on account must be used first
ECIP covers balance needed to restore service or prevent shut-off
2015/2016 HEAP Training

54. must be averted within 48 hours
Energy Crisis
must be averted within 48 hours
Has heat; operating Heating System or Source
Heating System requires utility service
Utility service scheduled for disconnection

55. Life Threatening Crisis must be averted within 18 hours
No Heat;
No working Heating System or Source
Utility service required to operate Heating System
Utility service disconnected

56. 2/16/2019
Disconnect Notice
CAA must obtain copy of disconnect notice to determine and document eligibility for ECIP
2015/2016 Vendor Training

57. CAA contacts vendor to verify:
Amount of HEAP, TANF Supplemental, and LIAP benefits on account
Amount required to restore or maintain service
Terms and status of any existing payment arrangement

58. Utility Disconnect Beatrice Small – Role-Play (page 8)

59. Heating System Repairs

60. Facing a heating crisis due to Heating System malfunction
2/16/2019
Household may be eligible if:
Facing a heating crisis due to Heating System malfunction
ECIP can cover repairs if authorized by CAA purchase order
2015/2016 Vendor Training

61. Household may be eligible if:
Primary Heating System is malfunctioning or not working, and
There is no secondary Heating System that is capable of heating the Dwelling during severe cold weather

62. Crisis Resolution
Services must be provided by a participating HEAP Vendor
Can HEAP Vendor make service call within required timeframe (18 or 48 hours)?

63. Central Heating Improvement Program
Refer to CHIP if:
Unable to secure services of a HEAP Vendor
Heating System issues cannot be fully resolved by ECIP - i.e. repairs will exceed $400 ECIP maximum

64. Provisional Measures

65. Fuel delivery or repairs cannot occur within required timeframe
Provisional Measures
Interim measures to avert Fuel or Heating System Emergency
Space heaters
Temporary relocation
Fuel delivery or repairs cannot occur within required timeframe

66. Space Heaters
Home Energy delivery or Heating System repair cannot occur within:
48 hours for Energy Crisis; or
18 hours for Life Threatening Crisis

67. Space Heaters
Confirm price, availability, and model number of space heater that meets program requirements
U.L certified
1500 watts
Auto shutoff/overheat protection

68. Temporary Relocation
Household is experiencing Life Threatening Crisis and Home Energy delivery or Heating System repair cannot occur within 18 hours

69. Temporary Relocation Contact hotel/motel
Determine room availability and cost
Obtain reservation/confirmation number

70. ECIP Emergency Worksheet
Complete Space Heater or Temporary Relocation section, and:
Fuel Emergency section; or
Heating System Emergency section

71. Provisional Measures Bella Taylor – Role-Play (page 9)

72. Bella Taylor Part I Heating System Emergency (no heat)
Vendor cannot make service call within required timeframe
Provisional Measure: space heaters

73. Rental Payment Assistance

74. Household may be eligible if:
Rent includes heat
Facing eviction within 72 hours due to nonpayment of rent
Subsidized with heat not eligible

75. Obtain legal notice of eviction to verify:
2/16/2019
Obtain legal notice of eviction to verify:
Notice was issued to Applicant
Eviction date/time
Sole cause for eviction is due to non-payment of rent
Payment amount required to prevent eviction
Landlord’s name and contact information
2015/2016 HEAP Training

76. Contact landlord to verify:
Applicant still living in rental unit
If any payments have been made
Amount needed to prevent eviction
Due date for next rental payment

77. Agreement to Stop Eviction Process
Prior to certification, CAA must obtain a completed Agreement To Stop Eviction Process document signed by the Applicant/tenant and landlord

78. Agreement to Stop Eviction Form (page 10)

79. Certification

80. ECIP Certification
Document and assess information provided by Applicant and verified by Vendor (Does it make sense?)
Do case notes and documentation tell entire story?

81. ECIP Certification All documentation in file?
MERAC - accurate and complete?
Resolve inconsistencies/errors

82. Denials Refer Household to other resources/programs
Verbally notify Primary Applicant of denial immediately
Send written notice of denial within three business days

83. Reminders Check MERAC notes & “Do Not Pay” list before certifying ECIP
Do not certify ECIP if “Do Not Pay” list indicates Applicant ineligible for ECIP

84. Issuing Purchase Order

85. Prior To Delivery or Service
or fax purchase order to Vendor to confirm the details of ECIP delivery/service requirements and authorized dollar amount
Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice

86. Purchase Orders Fuel and Utility Heating System Other Measures
MERAC Purchase Order
Heating System
Manual PO
Use MERAC PO #
Other Measures

87. Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice
CAA will or fax purchase order to Vendor to confirm details of ECIP requirements and authorized dollar amount
Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice

88. Stan Malone Part II (page 11)
Fuel Emergency

89. Fuel Purchase Order Primary Applicant’s name & delivery address
Home Energy type
Dollar amount authorized by CAA (based on cash price quoted by Vendor plus delivery charges and costs for restart or safety check)
Delivery time requirements (18 or 48 hours)

90. Beatrice Small Part II Utility Disconnect (page 12)

91. Guarantees payment for:
Purchase Order
Guarantees payment for:
Restoration of service
Cancellation of disconnect order

92. Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice
CAA will or fax purchase order to Vendor to confirm details of ECIP requirements and authorized dollar amount
Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice

93. Purchase Order Primary Applicant’s name & service address
Account name and number
Dollar amount authorized by CAA
Required resolution time - 18 or 48 hours

94. Bella Taylor Part II (pages 13-16)
Heating System Repair
with Provisional Measure

95. Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice
Generate manual purchase order
or fax PO to Vendor to confirm details of ECIP requirements and authorized dollar amount
Verbal purchase orders should be exception not standard practice

96. Manual Purchase Order Primary Applicant’s name Physical address
Dollar amount authorized by CAA
Required service timeframe (18 or 48 hours)

97. Reconciliation and Approval

98. Fuel Vendor Submits Copy of purchase order Metered delivery ticket
Invoice (if required)

99. Oil / Propane Delivery Ticket
If metered ticket amount is greater than ECIP PO, Vendor must notate dollar amounts to be covered by ECIP, HEAP, and TANF Supplemental, client, another party/organization
Vendor must sign/date notations

100. Vendor invoice required if:
Delivery ticket does not document all charges that were approved on purchase order (ex. delivery fee, safety check, start-up fee)

101. Stan Malone Part III (pages 17-19)
Fuel Emergency

102. Utility Vendor Submits
Copy of purchase order
Written confirmation of date/time service restored or disconnect order revoked

103. Heating System Repair Vendor Submits
Copy of purchase order
Invoice

104. Review delivery ticket/invoice
Does it match purchase order?
Name and delivery address
Date and time of delivery/service
Did delivery/service occur within timeframe prescribed on purchase order (18 or 48 hours)?

105. Review delivery ticket/invoice
Does it match purchase order?
Number of units delivered
Delivery fees or service charges
Total amount
Use ECIP Comments (MERAC) to fully document or clarify information
Use Worksheet to reconcile vendor delivery ticket/invoice

106. Provisional Measures

107. Provisional Measures CAA pays vendor for space heaters and hotel/motel
CAA submits documentation to MH
MH receives/approves purchase order in MERAC and pays CAA

108. Space Heaters - Documentation
Copy of purchase order signed/dated by CAA or Applicant at time of delivery or pickup
CAA or store invoice with Applicant’s name, date of pickup or delivery, model number, and invoice amount
ECIP Emergency Worksheet

109. Hotel/Motel - Documentation
Copy of purchase order
Hotel/motel invoice
Applicant’s name
Check-in/check-out dates
Breakdown of charges being billed
ECIP Emergency Worksheet

110. Rental Payment Assistance

111. Landlord and Tenant Must Sign
Agreement to Stop Eviction Process form

112. Rental Payment Assistance
October 25, 2017
Rental Payment Assistance
CAA pays landlord
CAA submits documentation to MH
MH receives/approves purchase order in MERAC and pays CAA
PY 2018 ECIP Training

113. Documentation For Payment
Copy of signed/dated Agreement to Stop Eviction Process form
Legal notice of eviction
ECIP Emergency Worksheet
CAA invoice with Applicant’s name, App ID, and invoice amount

114. Energy & Housing Services