§ 5-5A-09
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§5–5A–09.
(1)The Office shall develop a uniform redetermination process to assist eligible energy customers who are at least 65 years old in enrolling in energy assistance programs.
(2)The redetermination process developed under paragraph
(1)of this subsection shall be updated annually.
(b)The redetermination process shall require local administering agencies to:
(1)have an accessible location to receive eligible energy customers’ applications according to the Office’s contractual or program requirements; and
(2)establish a policy reflecting reasonable accommodations for applicants who are homebound or request accommodation, including by:
(i)arranging for a home visit; or
(ii)allowing an individual to apply on the behalf of an eligible energy customer.
(c)The Office shall provide notice of the redetermination process to all eligible energy customers and include with the notice an addressed envelope with prepaid postage.
(d)In addition to the notice required under subsection
(c)of this section, the Office shall:
(1)require yearly verification of status for each customer that qualifies for the redetermination process;
(2)allow an eligible energy customer 45 days to respond to a request for additional information; and
(3)maintain records organized by county, including records on the number of households during the previous year:
(i)that were eligible for redetermination;
(ii)whose notice of the redetermination process was verified and returned; and
(iii)that were reenrolled in the redetermination process.
(e)The Office may not require a new application for a current energy customer whose eligibility has not changed from the previous year.
(f)On or before December 1 each year, the Office shall report, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the information collected under subsection (d)(3) of this section.
(g)The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this section.