Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) launched a bipartisan effort on Friday to increase federal funding for heating assistance for low-income families and seniors living on a fixed income.
Collins led a bipartisan group of 39 Senators calling on President Obama to restore funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to at least $4.7 billion.
The Department of Health and Human Services released $2.93 billion in funding to keep LIHEAP running through Jan. 15, but funding has not yet been released for the remainder of the fiscal year.
“The LIHEAP program is one of our most effective tools to help senior citizens and less-fortunate households keep warm during the winter,” Collins said. “Energy costs remain high and LIHEAP funding is a vital lifeline that helps prevent people from having to choose between heating their home, paying their bills or going without food or medicine.”
Reed said the LIHEAP program must remain funded and more investments in weatherizing for homes must be made to reduce energy bills and consumption.
“Funding for LIHEAP is not keeping up with demand,” Reed said. “We are doing everything we can to stretch these federal dollars, but more families are in need, heating costs are up, and we need to protect them during the cold winter months…”
Rhode Island received more than $23.9 million in LIHEAP funding last year, but it’s expected to receive $20.7 million this year.