Letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary Department of Health and Human Services - LIHEAP Funding

Letter

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius:

As many households across the country continue to cope with plummeting temperatures and dangerous winter weather, we request that the Department of Health and Human Services immediately release all remaining Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds under the final, full year funding levels set forth in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014. It is critical that states have the resources to assist households as soon as possible.

Sustained cold temperatures and higher energy costs have resulted in a home heating crisis for many families, increasing the need for vital LIHEAP assistance. The average residential price for propane, a primary home heating fuel for about 6 million households nationwide, has increased more than 19% over last winter to $2.96 per gallon. This is the highest level since the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) began tracking prices in 1990. Heating oil and natural gas prices have also increased, up more than 1% and 10% respectively. Unfortunately, while the need for assistance continues to grow, recipients have seen their average LIHEAP grant reduced by more than $100 since 2010, from $520 in FY 2010 to about $400 in FY 2014. The means the average LIHEAP grant will cover just a fraction of the average home heating costs for a household, leaving many low-income families and seniors with fewer resources available to meet other basic needs.

Meanwhile, EIA projects that average winter home heating costs will increase to nearly $900 per household this winter. The means the average LIHEAP grant will cover less than half of the average home heating costs for a household, leaving many low-income families and seniors with fewer resources available to meet other basic needs.

Access to affordable home energy is a matter of health and safety. We ask that you expedite the release of all remaining LIHEAP funds to the states at this time of critical need.

As leaders on LIHEAP in the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, we look forward to continuing to work with you on this vital program. Thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents.

Source