N.J. Admin. Code § 5:49-5.5

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 5:49-5.5 - Outreach requirements-CAA

(a) An outreach network and referral system must be established in each county to advise potentially eligible households of the availability of energy assistance.

(b) Outreach activities must be implemented to ensure the identification and provision of services to the following:

1. The elderly, ill, bedridden, disabled and young children;

2. Those for whom access to the program is difficult due to remoteness, frequent change of address, limited English speaking ability, or lack of knowledge about service programs; and

3. Low income families.

(c) CAA or other non-profit agency outreach responsibilities shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1. Distribution of copies of the Home Energy Assistance Fact Sheet to all appropriate cooperating groups, agencies and organizations including those involved in Food Stamp Program informational activities, e.g., county offices on aging, community action agencies, municipal welfare departments, Social Security Administration district offices, public education, library and media facilities, police and fire departments, religious organizations, migrant organizations, American Indian organizations and home energy suppliers;

2. Distribution of blank application forms and instructions to cooperating outreach groups, agencies, and organizations so that they may be made available to the elderly and the disabled;

3. Distribution of sample applications and instructions for completion to all cooperating outreach groups, agencies, and organizations;

4. Provision of sufficient information to staff of cooperating groups, agencies, and organizations to enable them to assist the potential applicant to assemble required documentation;

5. Contact with each home energy supplier within the county to advise them of the existence of the HEA program and to encourage them to make information regarding HEA available to their customers.

(d) CAAs or other non-profit agencies may initiate other outreach activities as they deem appropriate.

(e) CAAs or other non-profit agencies are permitted to outstation staff at other agencies to take applications or to assist in reviewing applications taken by staff of those agencies.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:49-5.5

Amended by R.1995 d.172, effective 3/20/1995.
See: 26 N.J.R. 4726(a), 27 N.J.R. 1317(a).
Emergency amendment R.1997 d.149, effective 2/25/1997 (to expire April 26, 1997).
See: 29 N.J.R. 940(a).
In (c), (d), and (e), substituted reference to CAA or other non-profits for reference to CWAs; and deleted (f), requiring CWAs to submit report describing outreach efforts.
Adopted concurrent proposal, R.1997 d.207, effective 4/25/1997.
See: 29 N.J.R. 940(a), 29 N.J.R. 2473(a).
Recodified from N.J.A.C. 10:89-5.6 by R.2005 d.130, effective 5/2/2005.
See: 37 N.J.R. 18(a), 37 N.J.R. 1518(b).
Former N.J.A.C. 10:89-5.5, was reserved.