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EGIA Overview. www.egia.org. Rebate Program Administration. EGIA has over three decades of experience in providing utilities and government with rebate program administration and rebate processing services.
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EGIA Overview www.egia.org
Rebate Program Administration EGIA has over three decades of experience in providing utilities and government with rebate program administration and rebate processing services. EGIA has processed over 3 million rebate applications and distributed nearly $400 million dollars in rebate checks and incentives.
Energy Efficiency Financing • Consumer/ Business Financing • Residential Long-Term Financing • Residential Short-Term Loans • Commercial Leasing • Contractor Business Development • Business Expansion Financing • Diagnostic Equipment & Training EGIA, through its portfolio of GEOSmart financing options has facilitated home and building upgrades on over 50,000 projects totaling nearly $700 million over the past 5 years alone
Home Energy Makeover Contests EGIA Provides Support Services Ranging From Design Consulting To Procurement/ Donation Of Installed High Efficiency Measures To Full Program Administration
Utility & Contractor Exchange EGIA Plans and Produces Activities Where Utilities, Allied Organizations and Contractors Learn and Network Regarding Best Practices In Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Customer Service, Marketing/Sales and Enhanced Business Operations
Sample Mail-In Application • The Application Is Part Of An Integrated Rebate Processing System • Clearly Communicates Program Requirements • Easy For Customers To Navigate • Communicates Multi-Measure Information • Communicates Varying Rebate Levels • Designed For Ease Of Use and Operational Efficiency
Online Application Submittal Based on our experience, when given a choice approximately 40% of customers will choose online application submittal over mail-in
Most Common Reasons for Denial Automated Safeguards Reduce Deliberate Or Unintentional Misuse Of The Program. Problem Letter Generation/ Follow-Up System Assures Maximum Customer Participation
Sample Check Nicor Branded Checks and Envelopes With A Personalized Program Related Message On The Check Register
Fraud Prevention • EGIA uses an assortment of different methods to prevent and detect fraud, based on the source of the potential fraud. • Consumer Fraud Potential • Customer attempts to get more than one rebate on the same device • Customer copies receipt and gives it to another person to claim a rebate • Customer alters rebate check with a bogus dollar amount • Controls • Database track customers by name, address and measure making it virtually impossible to receive more than one rebate on the same measure • We capture a receipt # or invoice # to catch duplicate receipts being used • To prevent check alteration we use Positive Pay, a Wells Fargo tool that compares every check presented for payment to a file of issued checks
Fraud Prevention • Organizational Fraud Prevention • We prevent organizational fraud by carefully segregating duties and by implementing internal checks and balances • CFO invoices customers and receives payments for rebate funds. • Bookkeeper prepares deposit and records the receipt of funds in the general ledger • CFO records receipt of the funds in the invoice log • IT runs the database to generate the rebate checks based on the invoice. • The Senior Bookkeeper prints the rebate checks. • The mail processing department stuffs the checks and mails them after comparing the number of checks received to the invoice. • Rebate programs have zip code restrictions so no employee can enter a rebate for themselves and use their own address. • The Senior Bookkeeper cannot enter a rebate. • CFO reviews and reconciles all rebate bank accounts each day
Un-cashed Checks & Escheatment • Check Monitoring • EGIA closely monitors un-cashed check logs • Historically 99.5% of checks issued are cashed within 90 days • After 90 days if the check has not been cashed, EGIA contacts customer • Confirms address and that they received it • Voids the original check and reissues new check if appropriate • Virtually all reissued checks get cashed. • Un-Cashed Checks/ Escheatment • If checks remain un-cashed for 6 months EGIA/RSG notifies Nicor • Based on Nicor management policy, unspent funds will either be: • Returned back into the program budget • Based on legal interpretation of the states escheatment law returned to Nicor management for funds transfer to the state.
Rebate Processing Capabilities • EGIA’s rebate processing system is designed to cost effectively process traditional mail-in applications, instant rebate coupons, bounty programs, sales staff incentives, wholesale or retail buy-downs and other innovative incentives specified by program sponsors. • EGIA interacts with utilities and utility IT systems in many different ways: • Comprehensive rebate processing as currently deployed at Nicor • Check cutting services only where EGIA receives a validated file from a program sponsor and simply issues the check • EGIA receives data files directly from retailers participating in instant discount programs. EGIA validates files and issues aggregated check to retailer corporate headquarters for their distribution to individual stores • EGIA receives mail-in and online customer applications, validates and approves rebate then sends a file to the utility customer accounting department that then processes the rebate as a bill credit. • EGIA processes/ approves rebate application and sends file to utility that issues the check and distributes to their customers directly
Call Center Operations • Toll-free Number: 877-886-4239 • Call Center Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday – Friday (except federal holidays). • Staffed with Bi-lingual CSR’s • Call Center Metrics • Minimum of 70% of calls answered within 30 seconds • Longest wait time for the day will not exceed 5 minutes • Average time to answer calls is 30 seconds or less • After Hour Voice Mail Services • All Messages Are Returned Within 24 Hours Of Receipt Within The Business Week.
Call Center Activity Top 5 Reasons Customers Call
Training & CSR Development • Management Trains Sr. CSR As Subject Matter Experts • CSR Manual Updated With New Program Information • Program Requirements • Program Fact Sheets • Frequently Asked Questions • Examples Of All Program Related Forms • Review Website Application For Program • Walk Through Desk Top Application • Conduct Weekly CSR Training • Senior CSR Job Shadows Junior Employees • Call Center Manager Silent Monitors CSR’s Periodically