Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has released an initial $33.7 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds.

Last week, in an effort to help millions of Americans who are struggling with their energy bills as winter approaches, Senators Collins and King were among a bipartisan group of 40 Senators who wrote to the Administration requesting the immediate release of these federal heating aid funds.

“The LIHEAP programs assists some 8 million households nationwide; nearly 50,000 in Maine.  As energy costs have increased, LIHEAP remains an important lifeline that helps prevent people from having to choose between heating their home, paying their bills, or going without food or medicine.  I am pleased that DHHS recognized our concern and is releasing this critical funding today,” said Senator Collins who, along with Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), worked to include language in the continuing resolution to fund LIHEAP at the higher Fiscal Year 2012 enacted level of $3.47 billion.  Unfortunately, this funding remains subject to automatic, across the board sequestration cuts, which both Senators oppose and support addressing.

“Maine’s bitterly cold winters present serious challenges for our state’s most vulnerable families, who often end up having to confront the choice of whether to pay the ever-increasing heating bill or provide for everyday necessities,” Senator King said. “I am pleased that DHHS heeded our call to release these critical funds now, which will help tens of thousands of Mainers to stay warm while still being able to make ends meet.”

LIHEAP is a federal grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households.  In addition to helping to pay energy bills for low-income families and the elderly, LIHEAP helps to fund energy crisis intervention programs, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repairs.

Recently, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released its Winter Fuels Outlook report, which projects that household expenditures for natural gas, propane, and electric heating will be higher this winter.  Home heating oil prices are expected to be modestly lower.  The report also noted that the Northeast is expected to be 3% colder than the previous winter.

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