Section 365-100-040. Contractor responsibilities.

(1) The contractor may use the unverified client income statement to expedite the process for determining client eligibility for the moratorium program. The contractor may accept the applicant's self-certification of income in determining eligibility, or verify and document income in accordance with LIHEAP procedures. In either instance, the contractor shall notify the utility and the applicant of the applicant's eligibility no later than forty-five days from the date of application.

(2) The contractor shall provide the client income statement and assist the applicant in completing the statement when applying for the moratorium program. If the applicant contacts the contractor to apply for the moratorium program before notifying the utility of their inability to pay the bill, the contractor shall instruct the applicant to immediately contact the utility.

(3) The contractor shall interview the applicant for energy and weatherization assistance.

(4) The contractor shall provide the client income statement of unverified income to the applicant within twenty days from the date of application.

(5) The contractor shall inform the applicant that default on an agreed payment plan with the utility will remove moratorium protection until the past due bill is paid.

(6) The contractor shall advise the applicant that disconnection of services is possible if:

(a) Verified income is not supplied to the utility within forty-five days of application and no interim payment agreement has been made with the utility by the applicant.

(b) The applicant has been determined income ineligible.

(7) The contractor shall inform the applicant that the utility is required to offer a choice between a budget billing plan or equal payment plan.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.63A RCW. WSR 87-10-020 (Order 87-08), § 365-100-040, filed 5/1/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.63A.080. WSR 85-05-017 (Order 84-02), § 365-100-040, filed 2/13/85; WSR 84-21-087 (Order 84-02), § 365-100-040, filed 10/19/84.]

Chapter 43.63A RCW. WSR 87-10-020 (Order 87-08), § 365-100-040, filed 5/1/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.63A.080. WSR 85-05-017 (Order 84-02), § 365-100-040, filed 2/13/85; WSR 84-21-087 (Order 84-02), § 365-100-040, filed 10/19/84.