Deferral of Services

1. Deferral of Services WEATHERIZATION ENERGY AUDITOR SINGLE FAMILY WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012

2. Learning Objectives DEFERRAL OF SERVICES By attending this session, participants will be able to: • Recognize conditions that require deferral of services on a dwelling. • Recognize conditions that allow for the subgrantee to defer weatherization services, but leave the decision up to the subgrantee. • Describe procedures for deferral, including information that must be presented in the deferral notice and the clients’ right to appeal.

3. Deferral DEFERRAL OF SERVICES When to walkaway. When to runaway. What to do about it.

4. When to Walk Away DEFERRAL OF SERVICES • Health and safety concerns • Threatening animals • Threatening clients • Remodeling • Refusal of measures • Illegal activities • Unusual situations

5. When to Run Away DEFERRAL OF SERVICES • Already weatherized with DOE funds • Vacant • Demolition scheduled • Condemned • Structural problems • Mobile home with poor supports • Client/owner declines services

6. Walk or Run? DEFERRAL OF SERVICES Unsound Structure? Run. If the dwelling is structurally unsound, deferral of weatherization is required. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

7. Walk or Run? DEFERRAL OF SERVICES Threatening Animal? Walk. Deferral is up to the subgrantee when threatening animals are present. Photo courtesy of lawdogbite.com

8. Walk or Run? DEFERRAL OF SERVICES Illegal Activity? Walk. Refusal of services is up to the discretion of the subgrantee. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

9. Walk or Run? DEFERRAL OF SERVICES Condemned Structure? Run. DOE funds may not be spent weatherizing condemned structures. • Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

10. What to Do About It DEFERRAL OF SERVICES • Inform in writing, including: • Reason for deferral • Corrective action • Time frame • Right to appeal • Keep a copy in client file • Referrals

11. Summary DEFERRAL OF SERVICES Services MAY be deferred when: • Animals or clients are threatening weatherization staff. • Illegal activities are occurring. • Remodeling is not coordinated with weatherization. • The client refuses certain measures. Services MUST be deferred when: • The dwelling is vacant, condemned, scheduled for demolition within 12 months, structurally unsafe, or has already been weatherized with DOE funds. • The client/owner declines all weatherization services. Notice of deferral MUST: • Be issued in writing with a copy in client file. • Include reason for deferral, instruction and timeline for corrective action, and method for appealing the decision.