OAR 410-120-2035: Temporary rule language in effect until 12/31/2026. HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Benefit Transfer

(1) HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Benefit Transfer is the process by which a Member may temporarily pause or transfer, or both pause and transfer, their current, authorized HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance benefit to a new address after service delivery has begun. This rule is effective while Executive Order No. 26-10 is active. A Member must meet the qualifications for HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Benefit Transfer described in (2). (2) Under the requirements set out in OAR 410-120-2005, the HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance cannot be transferred to another address once the provider has made the first payment and the Member has received any part of the benefit. Also, recurring payments of HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance must be provided over a period of consecutive months. The exception to the aforementioned requirements in OAR 410-120-2005, as described in this rule, include a situation where the Member qualifies for the HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Transfer. Members may qualify for an HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Transfer if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The Member has been authorized for HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance and has received at least one month of the benefit; (b) The Member is experiencing displacement due to one or more of the wildfires that occurred during the period Executive Order No 26-10 was in effect; (c) The Landlord or Property Manager and the Member have completed, signed, and submitted the HRSN Notice of Impact Form to the CCO or the Authority, as applicable. The HRSN Notice of Impact Form states that the residence for which the Member was receiving the HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance has become unsafe or unhealthy to reside as a direct result of the wildfire; (d) The Member is still eligible for the service, as described in OAR 410-120-2005, at the time the HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance will be transferred or resumed; and (e) There is at least one month remaining of the authorized HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance that can be provided before the 1115 Waiver period expires on September 30, 2027. (3) In the event a Member pauses their HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance due to the situation described in (2) of this rule while they attempt to secure different housing, the Member may receive or continue to receive HRSN Tenancy Supports and HRSN Storage Fee Assistance if the Member is eligible for and has been authorized to receive those services. In no circumstance may the benefit duration for HRSN Tenancy Supports or HRSN Storage Fee assistance exceed the allowable timeframes described in OAR 410-120-2005. (4) The CCO or the Authority must approve or deny the request for HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Transfer as expeditiously as the Member’s circumstances require, but in no event later than seven (7) days after the date the Member submits to the CCO or, as applicable, the Authority, the HRSN Notice of Impact Form. (5) If a denial of the HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance Transfer leads to a reduction in services from the original, authorized HRSN Rent and Utility Financial Assistance, the CCO, or as applicable, the Authority, must send the Member a notice of adverse benefit determination in accordance with OAR 410-141-3835.