OAR 813-202-0005: Definitions

Terms used throughout OAR chapter 813, division 202 may be defined in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) or in the OHCS General Definitions (OAR 813-005-0005). Terms used within this division observe those definitions except as defined below: (1) "Crisis assistance" or "crisis payment" means the assistance provided to low-income households for crisis situations such as supply shortages, loss of household heating or cooling or other situations approved by OHCS as described in the program requirements. (2) "Electric utility" means a person, entity or company who provides electricity to a dwelling continuously via wire. (3) "Energy assistance payment" means a payment made under OEAP to or on behalf of an eligible household for the specific purposes of paying for program services as described in OAR 813-202-0030. (4) "Energy burden" means the percentage of household income that goes towards electricity costs. (5) "Household" means any individual living alone, a family with or without children or a group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit and purchase residential electricity in common. (6) "Household income" means the total annual household income before taxes from all sources. Specific sources and deductions are outlined in the program manual. (7) "Low-income household" means a household with income that is at or below 60% of the state median income. (8) "Program" or "OEAP" means the Oregon Energy Assistance Program administered by OHCS pursuant to this division and other applicable law. (9) "Program manual" or "Manual" means the LIHEAP and OEAP Intake Operations Manual, as described in OAR 813-202-0007. (10) "Program requirements" means these administrative rules; all funding agreement terms and conditions; OHCS directives (including deficiency notices); the program manual requirements; and applicable state, local, and federal laws and requirements. (11) "Program services" means the services that may be provided to eligible households as described in OAR 813-202-0030 or allowed thereunder. (12) "Utility service territory" means the geographic area in Oregon within which an identified electric utility provides electricity service.