Tierney Backs Increase in Liheap Funding

Press Release

TIERNEY BACKS INCREASE IN LIHEAP FUNDING

Today, U.S. Representative John F. Tierney (D-MA) made the following statement lauding the $5.1 billion expansion of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which would remain available through Sept. 30, 2009. This increase in funding would be included in, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act (H.R. 2638), which would provide for continuing appropriations for federal agencies and programs. With Congressman Tierney's support, this bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 370 to 58.

"As the price of oil continues to rise unrelentingly, residents around the 6th district of Massachusetts are right to express their concerns about home heating prices this winter. The release of this funding should help to alleviate the burden of exorbitant home heating costs for the residents of the northeastern United States, as it will allow for the continued expansion of funds to an additional 2 million homes," said Tierney.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households by providing funding to help recipients pay for home energy bills. In Massachusetts, households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines are eligible.

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