Section 6.310 - Crisis Assistance Component(a) Crisis Assistance can be provided to persons who have already lost service or are in immediate danger of losing service only under one of the conditions listed in paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection, and shall not exceed the caps as defined in § 6.309 of this subchapter (relating to Types of Assistance and Benefit Levels): (1) Extreme Weather Conditions, as defined in § 6.301 of this subchapter (relating to Background and Definitions), with assistance provided within 48 hours;(2) Disaster, as defined in § 6.301 of this subchapter, with assistance provided within 48 hours; or(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 representative accepts an application and completes the eligibility process. Subrecipient must maintain written documentation in customer files showing 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) - (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 crisis 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 conditions 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 functioning 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. The cost shall not exceed $7,500 and will not be counted towards the total maximum benefit level per Household under the Crisis Assistance Component.(6) When a Household meets the definition of Life Threatening Crisis, purchase of portable cooling and/or heating units, window units, evaporative coolers, and mini splits is allowable. 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 of these types of units for a Household requires 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 expenditures for:(1) Temporary Shelter in the limited instances that supply of power to the Dwelling Unit is disrupted causing a temporary evacuation.(2) Cost to temporary Shelter or house individuals in hotel, 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 Director or designee for the 18 and 48 hour timeframes in the case of a 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 exceed 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 allowable assistance benefit level.(4) Temporary Shelter not to exceed the annual Household benefit limit for the duration of the Contract Term.10 Tex. Admin. Code § 6.310
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 48, November 25, 2016, TexReg 9290, eff. 12/4/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 42, Number 31, August 4, 2017, TexReg 3876, eff. 8/7/2017; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 44, Number 52, December 27, 2019, TexReg 8265, eff. 1/1/2020; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 48, November 26, 2021, TexReg 8027, eff. 12/2/2021; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 47, Number 51, December 23, 2022, TexReg 8531, eff. 1/1/2023