Below is the language that LIHEAP added to their agreements in 2015 to address prepaid meters:

Michelle,

The FY2015 agreements were mailed today, so I can now send you the language we are using for pre-paid accounts. Yes, we will allow LIHEAP funds to be used for pre-paid accounts. Let me know if you have any questions regarding our policies. Thank you.

(6) Crisis Assistance – Assistance provided to an Applicant with no access to, or in danger of losing access to, needed home energy. Recipient may provide up to two Crisis Assistance benefits per year.

              a.    A maximum of one summer Crisis Assistance benefit may be applied to a Client’s account during the cooling season, April – September.

              b.   A maximum of one winter Crisis Assistance benefit may be applied to a Client’s account during the heating season, October – March.

              c.    May be used to pre-pay home energy usage:

                    1. Client should be within seven (7) days of using the remaining balance of ‘energy’ pre-purchased, power is currently disconnected/shut off, or Client needs a deposit.

                    2. The amount to be applied to the Client’s pre-paid account must be based on the past 2 pre-paid amounts (average) up to the maximum of $600 (or average of last 2 monthly home energy bills).

AND

(8) Home Energy Assistance – Assistance provided to an Applicant to reduce the Applicant’s overall home energy burden. Recipient must provide at least one Home Energy Assistance benefit per calendar year.

              a.    A Client may not receive more than one Home Energy Assistance benefit per calendar year.

              b.   The benefit is not contingent upon current or past due amounts, and can be used as a direct credit to the Client’s account.

              c.    May be used to pre-pay home energy usage up to the amount the Client is eligible to receive.

              d.   Must follow the current benefit payment matrix provided by DEO.

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