<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 07.03.21.07" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="21" heading="Delivery of Benefit.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Delivery of benefit may be accomplished by a:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Benefit payment to the energy supplier on behalf of the applicant, as determined by the Administration in accordance with the provisions of the current contract in effect with the energy supplier.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Benefit payment to the landlord on behalf of the applicant when heating costs are included in the rent. The payment is to be credited to the applicant's rent.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Direct benefit payment to the applicant if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The vendor or landlord refuses to accept payment; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Other circumstances as determined by the local agency prevent the issuance of the benefit to a vendor; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Direct benefit payment to the shelter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Amount of Benefit Payment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Administration shall determine annually the benefit payment levels and include the levels in each year's approved State plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Administration may authorize a supplemental benefit increase, and shall determine the amount of any supplemental increase and provide notice of the amount by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An approved State plan amendment for the current year;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A benefit letter to the household; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A letter to the energy supplier.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Administration shall determine annually the percentage of a shelter's total documented current heating bill that comprises the benefit payment to shelters, and provide written notice of the benefit amount to eligible shelters.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The local agency shall send written notification to each energy supplier to return to MEAP the undelivered benefits of households that no longer have an active account with the energy supplier. The written notice shall request that the energy supplier return to MEAP balances remaining at the close of a customer's account, by the time specified in the supplier's current contract.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>