With heat waves lasting longer into fall than planned, utility bills stay high, Michigan and other states step into help
Today, the Senate Labor-HHS Subcommittee approved LIHEAP FY2019 funding at $3.7B, calling for an increase of $50M over FY2018 levels. This follows the House Labor-HHS Subcommittee call for FY2019 funding at levels consistent with FY2018 at $3.64B.
The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance thanks Chairman Roy Blunt and Ranking Member Patty Murray for seeing the vital necessity of funding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Washington, DC – Today, the House Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY2019 spending bill for Labor HHS programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The approved bill maintains FY2018 funding levels of $177.1 billion across all Labor HHS programs, although distributions in the FY2019 have changed to target programs that prioritize medical research, public health, biodefense, education, and important activities that help promote job readiness. LIHEAP’s approved funding of $3.64 billion is consistent with last year’s funding levels.
“In a time of redistribution of funds and shifting priorities, we appreciate the House’s shared opinion that LIHEAP is an honorable program worth consistent funding,” said Campaign for Home Energy Assistance director Michael Bracy.
The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance applauds the work and energy of key committee members for upholding strong funding for LIHEAP, a vital and efficient national program that provides temporary energy assistance funds to qualifying households, especially those with seniors, Veterans, individuals with disabilities or families with school-aged children, who are struggling with extreme poverty and cannot keep their utilities on during the extreme cold of winter or heat of summer.
Current funding levels support about 6.7 million households—a fraction of the total number of households that meet LIHEAP qualifications. The average LIHEAP grant is estimated to cover less than half of the average home heating/cooling costs for households, meaning that many low-income families and seniors have fewer resources available to meet other basic needs.
The House’s FY2019 funding decision enables LIHEAP champions and advocates to continue their efforts to get LIHEAP funds to those households who need it most. The Campaign will continue to engage with policymakers on Capitol Hill and LIHEAP advocates across the country to educate individuals, families and lawmakers about the importance of LIHEAP for many low-income families. For the latest news and information on LIHEAP, visit www.liheap.org.
The Nor’Easter that slammed New England was a fitting reminder for why LIHEAP Action Day is a critical day for LIHEAP. Each year, advocates from around the nation gather on Capitol Hill in a unified effort to lobby their respective Congressional delegations about the importance of LIHEAP.
Washington, DC – In today’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget request to Congress, President Trump’s Administration repeated last year’s recommendation that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) be eliminated.
The request is unwarranted, particularly from the perspective of energy assistance advocates. LIHEAP is regarded as a crucial program with vast bi-partisan support that provides temporary assistance to qualifying households, especially those with seniors, Veterans, individuals with disabilities or families with school-aged children, who are struggling with extreme poverty or financial shocks and cannot keep their utilities on during the extreme cold of winter or heat of summer.
“We are deeply disappointed with today’s recommendation,” said Campaign for Home Energy Assistance director Michael Bracy. “That being said, our organization and thousands of energy-assistance advocates across the nation will continue to support increased funding to the program. At its current levels, LIHEAP can only serve a small portion of families in need, and we will continue to work with key decision makers to spread awareness of the program’s impact across the nation and raise funding to a commensurate level.”
LIHEAP’s current funding levels support 6.7 million American households, but there are millions more who could receive assistance based on the program’s qualifications. The average LIHEAP grant is estimated to cover less than half of the average home heating/cooling costs for households, meaning that many low-income families and seniors have fewer resources available to meet other basic needs.
LIHEAP supporters have regularly called on Congress and the Administration to increase funding. Despite repeated requests for increased funding from the field and unwavering support from local communities and action agencies, federal support of the program has declined in recent years. Since FY2010, total funding for the program has decreased from $5.1 billion to $3.39 billion, where it has remained since FY2015.
The Campaign will continue to engage with policymakers on Capitol Hill and LIHEAP advocates across the country to educate individuals, families and lawmakers about the importance of LIHEAP for many low-income families. For the latest news and information on LIHEAP, visit www.liheap.org.
For a downloadable copy of this statement, click here.
