(1) Disclosing information about applicants for or recipients of low income home energy assistance is restricted to purposes directly connected with the administration of such aid. Such purposes include establishing eligibility, determining amount of assistance, and providing benefits to or on behalf of applicants and recipients.

(a) Proper requests for information from a government authority, a court, or a law enforcement agency will be honored and the information released along with a notification of the confidentiality of the information and the penalty for misuse of such information.

(b) Whenever possible, the department will attempt to obtain prior consent from the applicant or recipient to release information about the applicant or recipient. Notification will be provided after release of information in the following situations: emergency situations; cases where the information is released for legal and investigative actions concerning fraud; collection of support, and third party medical recovery.