Workforce Services, Administration

Rule R982-407

Energy Assistance: Records and Benefit Management

Notice of Proposed Rule

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 36210
Filed: 05/15/2012 03:52:32 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

H.B. 139 which was passed in the 2012 General Session moved the Division of Housing and Community Development, Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) from what was known as the Department of Community and Culture (DCC) to the Department of Workforce Service (DWS). This proposed new rule simply changes the rule numbering and moves it to DWS.

Summary of the rule or change:

This new rule text is the same as the old rule. The old rule number was R195-1 and will now be R982-401. The statutory references have been changed to reflect the new code provisions. The old department and division names were also changed to reflect the changes in H.B. 139. No other changes were made.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 35A-8-1403

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There will be no costs or savings to the state budget by this new rule because the rule already existed and any costs or savings are as a result of H.B. 139 and not this new rule.

local governments:

There will be no costs or savings to any local government's budget by this new rule because the rule already existed and any costs or savings are as a result of H.B. 139 and not this new rule.

small businesses:

There will be no costs or savings to any small business by this new rule because the rule already existed and any costs or savings are as a result of H.B. 139 and not this new rule.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There will be no costs or savings to any persons other than small businesses, businesses or local government entitles by this new rule because the rule already existed and any costs or savings are as a result of H.B. 139 and not this new rule.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There will be no costs or savings to any affected persons by this new rule because the rule already existed and any costs or savings are as a result of H.B. 139 and not this new rule.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

There are no compliance costs associated with this change. There are no fees associated with this change. There will be no cost to anyone to comply with these changes. There will be no fiscal impact on any business.

Kristen Cox, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Workforce Services
Administration
140 E BROADWAY
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-2333

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Suzan Pixton at the above address, by phone at 801-526-9645, by FAX at 801-526-9211, or by Internet E-mail at spixton@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/02/2012

This rule may become effective on:

07/09/2012

Authorized by:

Kristen Cox, Executive Director

R982. Workforce Services, Administration.

R982-407. Energy Assistance: Records and Benefit Management.

R982-407-1. Records Management.

1. Documentation of the eligibility decision and amount of HEAT assistance is kept in the household's HEAT folder in the local HEAT office. Every person who completes an application shall have a case record.

2. HEAT case records shall not be removed from the local HEAT Office except by subpoena or request of the State HEAT Office (SHO) or in accordance with the Archives Schedule.

 

R982-407-2. Notification.

1. The local HEAT office shall provide all HEAT applicants with a written notice of any action that affects the amount, form, or requirements of the assistance.

2. Written notice shall include an explanation of the action, the reason for the action, and the effective date of the action. The notice shall also include an explanation of the applicant's hearing rights and how to file a hearing if the applicant is not satisfied with the decision on the case.

 

R982-407-3. Checks.

1. All HEAT payments to clients or vendors are issued by check.

2. If the payee dies before endorsing the check, the local Heat Office director or designee may authorize another person to endorse the check to use it on behalf of the payee or other person in the case.

3. Lost or stolen HEAT checks.

a. The client must report a lost or stolen check within 29 days of the issuance date. A check that is reported lost or stolen 30 days or more after the issuance date will not be replaced.

b. The client may report this by telephone or in person.

c. When a report is received, the HEAT worker or supervisor should review all office information (payroll, energy screens, case file, etc) to verify the information.

d. A replacement HEAT check which is lost or stolen after the payee receives it will not be issued.

 

KEY: energy assistance, benefits, government documents, state HEAT office records

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2012

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 9-12-10;35A-8-1403