Vermont's congressional delegation announced Thursday that the federal government's contribution to the Vermont Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be $17,252,695. The new funding, from the US Department of Health and Human Services, is part of a nationwide release of $3.05 billion in LIHEAP funds to help struggling families heat their homes. The new funds represent about 90 percent of the funding approved for LIHEAP under the Continuing Appropriations Act signed into law early this year. HHS will release the remaining funds for the program following the completion of Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bills. In FY 2014, the initial funding was $16.6 million.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vermont) said: “With Vermonters fast approaching the cold winter months, this funding will help ease the minds of families who are struggling to heat their homes. But it will not be enough, and more needs to be done. We will continue to press for more funding to support LIHEAP and ensure that Vermonters struggling to stay warm this winter have this lifeline.”
The state of Vermont will also contribute to the fund. Vermonters seeking home heating assistance may visit the website of the Department of Children and Families at http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance.
RECENT LIHEAP DATA FOR VERMONT
LIHEAP FY 2014 Funding
$19,140,144
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
185% Federal Poverty Levelfor heating
200% Federal Poverty Levelfor crisis
LIHEAP FY 2013 Benefit
Heating: $50 minimum, $858 average (includes state funds)
LIHEAP Households Served
27,457
(Estimate for FY 2013 Heating)
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating: November 1 – April 30
Crisis: November 25 – April 25