Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 38, Pages 5983-6306, September 17, 2021 Page: 6,049
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(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 representa-
tive accepts an application and completes the eligibility process. Sub-
recipient must maintain written documentation in customer files show-
ing 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) to (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 cri-
sis 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 condi-
tions 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 function-
ing 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.
(6) When a Household meets the definition of Life Threat-
ening Crisis, purchase of portable heating and/or cooling units is allow-
able. 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 portable heating and/or cooling units re-
quires 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 ex-
penditures for:
(1) Temporary Shelter in the limited instances that supply
of power to the Dwelling Unit is disrupted causing a temporary evac-
uation.
(2) Cost to temporary Shelter or house individuals in ho-
tel, 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 Di-
rector or designee for the 18 and 48-hour timeframes in the case ofa 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 ex-
ceed 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 al-
lowable assistance benefit level.
(4) Service and repair or purchase of heating or cooling, or
heating and cooling units for up to $7,500 will not be counted towards
the total maximum Household allowable assistance under the utility
assistance and crisis components.
(5) Temporary Shelter not to exceed the annual Household
benefit limit for the duration of the Contract Term.
6.311. Utility Assistance Component.
(a) A Subrecipient may use home energy payments to assist
Low Income Households to reduce their home energy costs. Subrecip-
ient shall combine home energy payments with energy conservation
tips, participation by utilities, and coordination with other services in
order to assist low income Households to reduce their home energy
needs.
(b) Subrecipient must make payments directly to vendors
and/or landlords on behalf of eligible Households.
(c) For Vulnerable Population Households, 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 func-
tioning according to its intended purpose. If a component(s) of the
heating or cooling system cannot be repaired using parts, the Subre-
cipient can replace the component(s) in order to repair the heating or
cooling system. If 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 to-
wards the total maximum per Household allowable under the Utility
Assistance Component. Subrecipients may leverage this type of assis-
tance with LIHEAP and/or DOE Weatherization.
6.312. Payments to Subcontractors and Vendors.
(a) A bi-annual Vendor Agreement is required to be imple-
mented by the Subrecipient and shall contain assurances as to fair
billing practices, delivery procedures, and pricing procedures for
business transactions involving CEAP beneficiaries. The Subrecipient
must use the Department's current Vendor Agreement template, found
on the CEAP Program Guidance page of the Department's website.
These agreements are subject to monitoring procedures performed by
the Department staff.
(b) Subrecipient shall maintain proof of payment to Subcon-
tractors and vendors as required by Chapter 1, Subchapter D of this
title (relating to Uniform Guidance for Recipients of Federal and State
Funds).
(c) Subrecipient shall notify each participating Household of
the amount of assistance to be paid on its behalf. Subrecipient shall
document this notification.PROPOSED RULES September 17, 2021 46 TexReg 6049
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Texas. Secretary of State. Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 38, Pages 5983-6306, September 17, 2021, periodical, September 17, 2021; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1385246/m1/67/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.