§ 2606 - Application period; assistance - Vermont Statutes

§ 2606. Application period; assistance

(a) In order to make a timely determination of benefit levels, there shall be an application period during which all beneficiaries shall apply for home heating fuel assistance for the ensuing heating season. The application period shall be from July 15 through August 31.

(b) The secretary shall accept applications after the application period has closed, but no later than the last day of February. No qualified applicant shall be penalized through a reduction of benefits for a late-filed application, except that such applicant shall not be entitled to benefits for any period prior to the month of application.

(c) The director of home energy assistance shall supply or contract for staff to carry out application-processing and related tasks including assisting households in applying and providing required information, and locating and contacting fuel suppliers certified under section 2607 of this title.

(d) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the secretary may accept applications on an ongoing basis for the 2010-2011 heating season beginning on March 1, 2010 and may establish by rule the procedure for accepting applications and determining eligibility under this subsection. No later than January 15, 2010, the secretary shall provide draft legislation to modify the process for application, eligibility, and calculation and issuance of benefits under the seasonal fuel assistance program using a new eligibility system to the house committee on human services and the senate committee on health and welfare. (Added 1995, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 10, 1996; amended 1999, No. 59, § 5, eff. June 1, 1999; 2009, No. 1 (Sp. Sess.), § E.324.2.)