With too many Rochester families struggling to afford rising home energy costs, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter today pushed the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release home energy assistance funds as frigid winter weather approaches. In a letter to HHS Secretary Burwell, Rep. Slaughter joined other federal lawmakers in calling for the release of the highest amount of funds available from the department's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled with energy assistance during the cold winter months.
"As the relevant state agencies begin to provide assistance for this winter, we believe it is critical that states begin the process of assisting those individuals with the greatest needs immediately," Rep. Slaughter and the lawmakers wrote. "Therefore, we request that you quickly release LIHEAP funds and at as high of a level as possible in order to allow states and low-income households to prepare for another challenging winter."
Congresswoman Slaughter has worked for years to make it easier for Rochestarians to afford to heat their homes. Amid the economic downturn, Slaughter pushed the president to use emergency funds to help struggling families pay for the rising cost of heating. Slaughter has also called on Congress to fully fund LIHEAP and help families stay warm during Rochester's cold winter season.
Last year, more than 1.1 million households received home heating assistance in New York State.
New Yorkers can begin to apply for heating assistance on November 16. For those under the age of 60, contact (585) 753-6477 to apply. For those over the age of 60, contact (585) 244-8400.