Okla. Admin. Code § 340:20-1-4

Current through Vol. 42, No. 4, November 1, 2024

Section 340:20-1-4 - Coordination and outreach

(a)Coordination with Indian tribes. Some, but not all, Oklahoma Indian tribes receive federal funds to operate their own Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), per Section 8623 of Title 42 of the United States Code (42 U.S.C. § 8623) . Tribes may choose to use their funds for one assistance payment per household or through multiple application periods throughout the federal fiscal year that runs from October through September each year.

(1) Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) and participating tribes share information regarding tribal member's receipt of LIHEAP to prevent assistance duplication.

(2) Tribal members are not eligible to receive energy assistance from their tribe and OKDHS for the same federal fiscal year.

(3) When a tribal member applies for LIHEAP through OKDHS, LIHEAP staff treats the person's eligibility in the same manner as any other household when the person is a member of a tribe that:

(A) does not operate its own LIHEAP; or

(B) operates its own LIHEAP, but the person has not applied to the tribe for energy assistance.

(4) When a tribal member applies for OKDHS LIHEAP and it is determined that a household member received energy assistance from a tribal LIHEAP program for the same federal fiscal year, LIHEAP staff denies the application.

(5) When a tribal member approved for OKDHS LIHEAP later applies for tribal LIHEAP for the same federal fiscal year, the tribe denies its application unless the tribal member requests that OKDHS cancel its certification before payment is made.

(b)Coordination with utility suppliers. OKDHS LIHEAP Unit staff are responsible for familiarizing utility suppliers with LIHEAP regulations, per 42 U.S.C. § 8624. During the Energy Crisis Assistance Program, centralized LIHEAP staff must coordinate with utility suppliers to pledge payment and ensure fuel is delivered in a timely manner to settle the energy crisis.

(c)Coordination with other OKDHS programs. LIHEAP payments are disregarded in all OKDHS programs. LIHEAP coordinates with other Adult and Family Services income support programs, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), TANF flex funds, and State Supplemental Payment. When the household's need is for primary home energy, it is met through LIHEAP when LIHEAP funds are available. TANF flex funds are used for emergency needs that LIHEAP does not cover.

(d)Outreach. OKDHS provides information and presentations regarding LIHEAP to interested persons and community agencies, per 42 U.S.C. § 8624. OKDHS collaborates with local Community Action agencies to offer energy efficient workshops and coordinate energy assessments on LIHEAP households' homes to evaluate what may be done to lower energy costs. Some utility suppliers enroll LIHEAP clients in discount rates for their main heating and cooling energy sources.

Okla. Admin. Code § 340:20-1-4

Amended at 10 Ok Reg 637, eff 12-14-92 (emergency); Amended at 10 Ok Reg 2259, eff 6-11-93; Amended at 11 Ok Reg 483, eff 11-15-93 (emergency); Amended at 11 Ok Reg 1671, eff 5-12-94; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 152, eff 12-1-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1604, eff 5-11-98; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1301, eff 6-1-08; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 760, eff 7-1-12

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 35, Issue 24, September 4, 2018, eff. 9/17/2018

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/15/2022