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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign nonfinancial Agency Assistance Agreement 096-M1811 (Agreement) with Southwest Gas Corporation, for access to its web-based Agency Pledge Portal, with a perpetual term commencing upon final signature;
2) Approve and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or designee, to sign amendments, if any, that do not affect the termination date or change the nonfinancial state of said Agreement, and contingent upon approval by County Counsel and Risk Management; and
3) Approve and authorize the Health and Human Services Agency Director, or successor, to administer said agreement, including termination should the Agreement become unnecessary.
FUNDING: Federal Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign nonfinancial Agency Assistance Agreement 096-M1811 (Agreement) with Southwest Gas Corporation (SGC). Approval of the Agreement is necessary to permit designated HHSA staff access to SGC’s online portal to make payments on behalf of Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) clients, to prevent termination of services due to non-payment.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The HHSA Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides assistance to income-eligible households to offset the cost of heating and cooling of their homes. The funding for HEAP consists of federal dollars issued through an agreement by the California Department of Community Services and Development. Eligible homeowners or renters may qualify to have specific payment amounts credited to their electric utility accounts.
As a component of the HEAP program, HHSA staff work with utility companies, such as SGC, to prevent utilities from being terminated due to payment issues for households that meet the HEAP criteria. The Agreement with SGC will allow designated HHSA staff access to SGC’s online portal for pay...
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