Washington, DC – Today, Congressman John Tierney joined House colleagues in calling on Congressional leaders to fund the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at least at the same level as Fiscal Year 2010. The program, which provides critical heating assistance for seniors, low-income households, and those with disabilities, will lose funding on December 3 if action is not taken.

Tierney, who has long advocated for sufficient funding for this program, has heard from concerned seniors and families across our communities in recent weeks. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP supplied heating assistance to more than 180,000 Massachusetts households in 2009. 

“As the weather gets colder and spending on heating increases, it is unacceptable that our seniors, disabled residents, and low-income families may be forced to choose between paying to heat their homes and other essential items such as groceries and prescription drugs,” Congressman Tierney said. “I urge Congress to quickly and responsibly fund this critical program so that all Massachusetts families can stay warm this winter.”

The entire text of the letter follows.

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader Boehner, Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis:

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides a vital safety net for our nation’s low-income households.  As you know, the current Continuing Resolution expires on December 3, 2010. As you work to develop an omnibus appropriations bill or further Continuing Resolution for FY2011, we urge you to fund LIHEAP through September 30, 2011 at least at the FY2010 levels of $5.1 billion.

Because of the structure of LIHEAP, states are already being forced to make reductions in LIHEAP benefits as a result of the discrepancies between the funding levels set forth by the House and Senate. For instance in Massachusetts, average benefits are projected to be reduced by nearly 50 percent. Funding LIHEAP through the end of the fiscal year at the FY2010 level of $5.1 billion is critical to restoring home energy assistance and maintaining economic stability for working low-income families, senior citizens, and disabled individuals. The number of households seeking LIHEAP assistance is projected to again reach record levels this year. However, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association projects that funding LIHEAP at the FY2011 levels reported by the Senate would lead to roughly 2 million households nationwide being denied benefits.

At the same time, the Department of Energy (DOE) is projecting average household expenditures on many heating fuels to rise this winter. DOE projects that average household expenditures on heating oil will rise 12.6 percent nationwide and 14.5 percent in the Northeast. Expenditures on propane are expected to increase nearly 8 percent nationwide and more than 15 percent in the Midwest.

Funding LIHEAP for the remainder of FY2011 at least at the FY2010 level of $5.1 billion is critical to ensure that low-income families, the disabled, and senior citizens do not have to face a choice between paying their home energy bills or affording other basic necessities such as prescription drugs, housing, and food this winter. Thank you for your continued support of the LIHEAP program and your consideration of our request.

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