Sec. 07.03.25.02. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) “Administration” means the Family Investment Administration of the Department of Human Services.

(2) “Applicant” means an electric, gas, or other energy source service customer for whom assistance is being requested.

(3) “Arrearage” means the amount of money owed by an electric, gas, or other energy source service customer to a fuel vendor or a utility vendor which is 21 days or more past due.

(4) “Assisted living facility” means an institution or facility that admits elderly or disabled individuals who cannot manage activities of daily living, and provides a protective institutional or home-type environment for a fee.

(5) “Benefit” means cash assistance or other service that is provided on behalf of an eligible applicant.

(6) “CMN Program” means the Critical Medical Needs Program established under Human Services Article, §5-5A-08, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(7) “Critical medically vulnerable individual” means an individual who:

(a) Has a severe health condition that will be aggravated due to the termination or noncontinuation of electric, gas, or other energy source services or needs the use of life-support equipment as documented and certified in accordance with COMAR 20.31.03.01 on a certification of serious illness or life support form submitted to the appropriate fuel vendor or utility vendor;

(b) Has or will have their electric, gas, or other energy source services terminated for nonpayment; and

(c) Is unable to complete the energy assistance applications under available energy assistance programs, including energy efficiency programs offered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

(8) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Human Services.

(9) “Energy emergency” means a lack of fuel or the imminent discontinuation of energy services supplied by a fuel vendor or utility vendor that will endanger health, safety, or welfare.

(10) “Fuel vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, produces, or offers for sale coal products, fuel oil, kerosene, bottled gas, propane, or wood for fuel use or consumption in the State.

(11) “Household” means an individual or group of individuals who are living together as one unit and for whom residential electric, gas, or other energy source service or other home energy is purchased in common.

(12) “Income” means gross income.

(13) “Life-support equipment” means any electric, gas, or other energy source-using device certified by a licensed physician, certified nurse practitioner, or physician assistant as being essential to prevent, or to provide relief from, a serious illness or to sustain the life of the customer or an occupant of the premises where the applicant resides.

(14) “Navigator” means a representative from a medical facility or from a public or private assistance agency or organization who:

(a) Has completed training provided by the Office;

(b) Has signed a Confidentiality Certification Form;

(c) Is in personal contact with a critical medically vulnerable individual; and

(d) Assists the critical medically vulnerable individual in the energy application process.

(15) “Office” means the Office of Home Energy Programs.

(16) “Program year” means July 1 through June 30.

(17) “Recipient” means an applicant whom the Office has approved for CMN Program benefits.

(18) “Termination notice” means a notification from a fuel vendor or utility vendor that includes, at a minimum, the following:

(a) The name and account number of the customer whose electric, gas, or other energy source service is to be terminated;

(b) The address of the premises where service is to be terminated;

(c) A statement of the reasons for the proposed termination;

(d) The date on or after which the proposed termination will occur;

(e) The charges for reconnection of service, if any; and

(f) A statement of the total amount due, if applicable.

(19) “Utility vendor” means a person that distributes, transports, or produces natural gas or electricity for use or consumption in the State.

(20) “Verification” means documentation or proof of accuracy of statements made by the applicant.