Washington, D.C. – Today, local Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand announced that an additional $121 million dollars in contingency funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) would be released from the Department of Health and Human Services.  New York State will receive an additional $12.1 million dollars in funding in this contingency release.  Those funds will increase the total funding level for the critical assistance program to $360 million dollars for Fiscal Year 2008. 

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded grant program that assists low income households with home energy costs. The State of New York operates the HEAP program through the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.  Services are provided in each county through the County Social Services Office and the County Office for the Aging.   

“I am working in Washington to ensure funding for these critical assistance programs,” said Congresswoman Gillibrand, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee. “With fuel prices remaining high, and the winter heating months just around the corner, support for these programs is critical to ensuring that our most vulnerable residents do not have to choose between feeding their families and heating their homes this winter.” 

Congresswoman Gillibrand is a leader in advocating for funding for LIHEAP and energy efficiency programs in Washington.  The Congresswoman has recently called on Congressional Leadership to include $250 million dollars in funding for weatherization funding in potential economic stimulus legislation that might come to the floor soon. 

The Congresswoman said, “I am also concerned about our area residents do not qualify for HEAP assistance, but will also feel the strains of high home heating costs this winter.  That is why I am working with my neighbor and colleague Congressman John McHugh to pass H.R. 6321, the Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act.”

The Home Energy Affordability Tax Relief Act will provide a $500 tax credit for both owners and renters who spend more than $1,500 on home heating fuel during the winter heating months.  For families who spend less than $1,500, they would receive a tax credit that equals 1/3 of their home heating costs. 

This week, Congresswoman Gillibrand voted in favor of an historic energy package; H.R. 6988, the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act.  Under the legislation, more than $6.4 billion dollars would be invested over the next 10 years in assistance programs like the LIHEAP, weatherization assistance, and other critical programs that support our seniors and low-income families.