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3/24/2006
Harkin Praises Release of LIHEAP Funds, Urges More for Next Year
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today praised the release of
emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,
but urged that more will be needed for next winter. The Bush
Administration released $1 billion in additional funds for LIHEAP this
year, half of which will be used as emergency funding to meet immediate
shortfalls in states like Iowa. Senator Harkin had previously
called on the Bush Administration to release emergency funding to meet
immediate shortfalls in LIHEAP caused by sharply higher heating bills
this winter. These additional LIHEAP funds are taken from next
year’s budget, setting up shortfalls for next year’s heating season.
“This is welcome news for Iowa where low income heating funds are
running dangerously low,” Harkin said. “But this funding increase
sets up a shortage for next year. We need to pass additional
funds for LIHEAP to avoid a crisis in next winter’s heating bills for
working families, senior citizen and people with disabilities.”
The budget resolution passed by Congress last week contains an
amendment cosponsored by Senator Harkin that would increase LIHEAP
funds for next year’s budget by $3.3 billion. The House has yet
to consider their budget resolution and must agree to the additional
LIHEAP funding for it to go into effect. Additional funding will
be needed to meet soaring demand for heating assistance caused by
continued high energy prices. The rise in energy prices, along
with energy debt from last winter, led to increased disconnections
among consumers this past heating season.
“These funds are critical for a state like Iowa that has long and cold
winters,” Harkin said. “If we don’t have an increase for next
year’s funding, even more low-income Americans will face the impossible
decision between paying their heating bills or buying prescription
drugs and groceries.”
LIHEAP helps eligible low-income families, the disabled, and senior
citizens living on fixed incomes receive relief from their high home
energy costs. In 2004, states assisted more than four million
households with LIHEAP assistance, including 85,000 Iowa
households In Iowa last year, the state surveyed households
receiving LIHEAP and found that 21 percent reported going without
needed medical care and/or prescription drugs and 12 percent reported
going without food in order to pay their heating bill.
Individuals can contact their local/state LIHEAP agency to apply for
home energy assistance. For more information, go to
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/ or
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/brochure.html
Total LIHEAP funding by state can be viewed at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2006/March2006_liheap.htm
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