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<br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS <br />STATUS REPORT <br />January 2003 <br />PURPOSE <br />On November 14, 2001, the Orange County Manager organized a work session <br />with local utility companies, the Department of Social Services and non-profit <br />agencies to identify the current needs and issues related to providing emergency <br />services, particularly utilities, to low-income residents. The representatives at the <br />meeting discussed the current economic situation in the county, the demand for <br />emergency services, the actions being taken by utility companies to address the <br />need and the resources available from charitable and public organizations to <br />serve these families. <br />As a goal of the group, representatives were asked to outline their operating <br />procedures and eligibility requirements for their current emergency assistance <br />programs. A draft report was presented to the Board in January 2002. Since <br />that time, the work group has convened twice and provides the following updated <br />information. <br />SERVICE PROVIDERS <br />A. Orange County Department of Social Services <br />The Orange County Department of Social Services is the primary county <br />agency providing for the financial needs of low-income families. Demand for all <br />public assistance programs has been increasing (about 10% overall. in this <br />calendar year). Requests for emergency assistance payments were over 85% <br />higher in October of 2001 compared to October 2000. <br />1. Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) - provides financial help to <br />households that are in a heating or cooling-related emergency. <br />(NOTE: In January 2002, the Department of Social Services depleted its <br />allocation of federal Crisis Intervention Funds for energy assistance. As a <br />result, the Department used Work First funds and a special allocation from <br />the Board of County Commissioners in the amount of $30,000 to assist <br />persons in emergency situations.) <br />Program Eligibility <br />Household must meet an income test (150% of the poverty level) <br />Household must be in a heating or cooling- related emergency <br />Household experiencing unusual and/or unexpected expenses