U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) last week led a bipartisan contingent of more than 40 lawmakers in requesting that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quickly release funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the main federal program that helps eligible low-income households and seniors pay their energy bills.
“As we combat the ongoing public health and economic crisis, it’s important that the administration move quickly to distribute these critical funds appropriated by Congress,” said Sen. Collins.
In an Oct. 14 letter sent to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, Sen. Collins and her colleagues noted that state agencies are working now to prepare their LIHEAP programs for the coming winter, making it “crucial that they have the resources they need to assist low-income households and seniors as soon as possible.”
The senators requested that Azar quickly release LIHEAP funds “at the highest level possible” to allow states to continue preparations, according to their letter.
“During our long winters, vulnerable Mainers rely on the LIHEAP program to keep warm during the colder months,” Sen. Collins said. “This funding will help ensure that low-income families and seniors do not have to make the impossible choice between paying for heat and paying for food or medicine.”
Among the 41 members who also signed the letter was U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), who previously worked with Sen. Collins to secure $3.7 billion in LIHEAP funds in the fiscal year 2020 appropriations law. Sens. Collins and Reed also led a successful effort to include $900 million for LIHEAP in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) also signed onto the letter.