INTENT

This benefit is intended to provide assistance with the connection, reconnection or deposit of specified utilities needed to establish and maintain a household.

POLICY

An allowance to obtain water, power and heat service may be provided under conditions identified in this section. The benefit is not intended to cover telephone connection, reconnection, deposit or arrears.

Ongoing utility charges are paid for as part of the Core Shelter allowance.

Substantiation for benefits in this section is a utility bill or statement.

Utility arrears may be provided per Emergency Allowance policy and may include amounts for utility reconnection and deposit associated with the specific arrear.

Utility Connection

An allowance is issued to an applicant or recipient if connection charges are required to secure water, power and heat services. Each type of utility (water, heat, power) is tracked and issued separately.

Utility Deposits
An allowance is issued to an applicant or recipient if a deposit is required to secure water, power and heat services. Each type of utility (water, heat, power) is tracked and issued separately.

The first deposit for each utility issued is not recovered but subsequent deposits are subject to recovery. The worker notifies the client they must agree to repay the benefit and sign an EMP 0976B Repayment Agreement. If the client refuses to sign the repayment agreement the benefit is not issued.

A forfeited utility deposit is not recovered. Refunded utility deposits are not treated as income. ISTHB Regulation, Schedule 2, Section 1(1)(v). See the Resources Not Considered Income policy

Utility Reconnection
An allowance is issued to an applicant or recipient for utility reconnection when the utility has been disconnected due to late payment or arrears. Each type of utility (water, heat, power) is tracked and issued separately.

All reconnections for utilities are subject to recovery. The worker notifies the client they must agree to repay the benefit and sign an EMP 0976B Repayment Agreement. If the client refuses to sign the repayment agreement the benefit is not issued

PROCEDURES

LISA automatically posts the benefit to the Scratch Pad. When a client requests a utility connection or deposit, the worker will:

Check the Scratch Pad to determine if a connection, deposit or reconnection for that particular utility service has been previously issued.

1. Have the client sign the EMP 0976B Repayment Agreement if a connection or deposit has previously been issued or it is a reconnection.
2. Issue the connection, deposit or reconnection fee.
3. Enter the debt into the Recoveries System if required.
4. Record in the Scratch Pad Description field the type of utility service for each connection, deposit or reconnection benefit.