Avoiding Duplicate Benefits

Policy 1.0.2:  Duplicate Benefit Payments

Contractors are responsible for assuring that a household has not received Energy Assistance from another WA contractor. If a duplicate payment or overpayment is made, the contractor must use non-LIHEAP funds to correct the error.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the federal funding agency for LIHEAP, does not allow an error rate.

To acquire information that would help the contractor avoid duplication, the contractor should:

1. Ask whether the applicant has moved since October 1, of the current program year. 
   
   
2. Ask if the applicant has applied for and received Energy Assistance and/or Other Emergency Services at another agency. 
   
   
3. Note whether any documentation provided by the applicant indicates a previous residence. 
   
   
4. If an applicant moves into a contractor's service area from somewhere else in Washington State, contact the energy assistance contractor in that area, to verify that the applicant did not receive services. 
   
   SEE: Policy 3.0.0, LIHEAP Contractor Contacts
            Policy 3.3.1, Tribal LIHEAP Coordinators