Two cold state senators are teaming up urging the Biden Administration to reduce LIHEAP monies swiftly and at the highest level possible.
Senators Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have written to the Department of Health and Human Services.
“As Congress works to finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services, we urge you to immediately release the highest amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the Continuing Resolution (PL 118-83),” Reed, Collins, and Murkowski wrote.
The Senators say that the LIHEAP program is literally a life-or-death program that many low-income families rely on.
Reed, Collins, and Murkowski helped provide a total of $4.1 billion for LIHEAP in fiscal year 2024, with $4 billion through appropriations and $100 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds.
More than five million families receive assistance from the program each year.
Last year Rhode Island got almost 27 million dollars. Alaska is a little more than 22 million.
Senior citizens and those receiving Social Security Disability or SSI benefits are encouraged to apply as early as possible, but applications will be open to everyone through spring of 2025 — or until the funding is exhausted.
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)