Vermont receives $16.6 million in home heating assistance

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vermont), who have pressed for the release of federal home heating aid funds as winter weather has descended on Vermont, welcomed the federal release Monday of $16.6 million in heating assistance to the state. ‘
Leahy, Sanders and Welch have long championed the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).’ The new funding, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is part of ‘ a nationwide release of $2.9 billion in LIHEAP funds to help struggling families heat their homes and represents 90 percent of the block grant funding approved for LIHEAP under the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2014.’ ‘
In a joint statement, Leahy, Sanders and Welch said: ‘ ‘With temperatures already dropping well below freezing, many Vermonters are struggling to heat their homes, and this is a timely infusion for this vital lifeline.’ But more is needed, much more must be done, and we will continue to press for additional support for LIHEAP to ensure that struggling Vermonters are able to heat their homes this winter.’’
Vermont is in line for another $1.8 million in LIHEAP as part of $354 million that DHHS will release if and when Congress passes the 2014 budget.
Governor Shumlin and the Legislature’s Emergency Board on October 24 approved an additional $2.1 million for the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ensuring the same purchasing power for heating fuel (oil, kerosene, propane) as last winter to participants.’
The 2013 Legislature approved $6 million for this program as part of the annual appropriation bill, with the expectation that additional funds might be necessary once the federal funding level and other factors, such as a more aggressive discount fuel purchasing plan, were known.’ The total amount of funds for this year’s LIHEAP will be approximately $25.7 million.’ Funds will be distributed in the first half of November.
No state funds were contributed to the LIHEAP prior to federal fiscal year 2005.’ In recent years, federal funds have steadily declined from a high of $38.6 million in 2009 to an expected $17 million for this winter.
Vermonters seeking home heating assistance may visit the website of the Department of Children and Families at http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance.
(MONDAY, Nov. 4, 2013) ‘Vermont Congressional Delegation