Foster's Daily Deomcrat - Sen. Shaheen Advocates for More Heating Aid

News Article

Written by: Jason Claffey

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-Madbury, sent to a letter to the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week advocating against cuts to heating aid for low-income families.

Funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has yet to be finalized as winter rapidly approaches.

Some federal lawmakers have proposed funding the program at about half of last year's amount, meaning the average household will receive less of a payout and waiting lists could arise.

The program was funded at $5.1 billion last year. A proposed Senate bill would fund it at $3 billion.

Shaheen urged DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to distribute funds based on the $5.1 billion level during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The first quarter began Oct. 1.

"LIHEAP helps thousands of New Hampshire families stay warm over the winter, and I have deep concerns about proposed cuts to this critical source of heating assistance," Shaheen said in a statement. "With the price of oil still too high and many families still recovering from the difficult economy, now is simply the wrong time to be cutting heating aid."

More than half of New Hampshire families rely on home heating oil, which has shot up 30 cents over its price at the same time last year.

"A growing number of families are relying on LIHEAP to get them through the economic downturn," Shaheen said. "This is simply the wrong time to cut LIHEAP funding."

If LIHEAP is funded at $3 billion, more than 20,000 Granite State households would lose out on assistance, according to Joanne Morin, director of the state Office of Energy and Planning.

In New Hampshire last year, LIHEAP served about 47,000 households. The average benefit was $925. Every family that applied for assistance was granted it.

If LIHEAP is funded at $3 billion, the program would serve a little more than 25,000 households in New Hampshire this winter. The average benefit would be $703 and there would be waiting lists, Morin said. She said some money would be reserved for people in "no-heat" situations.

Morin said it's been several years since there have been waiting lists.

Close to 200,000 Granite Staters now qualify for assistance.

Applications are currently being accepted. The first rounds of money are typically distributed at the beginning of December. Lawmakers can always pass emergency LIHEAP funds, which was done several times last winter.

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