WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today expressed their encouragement that the continuing resolution, which would fund the federal government for six months, includes language that would provide states Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding at last year’s level.  Senators Reed and Snowe secured language in the continuing resolution (CR) to be voted on by the U.S. House and Senate over the next several days that specifies the Administration shall allocate funding at last year’s levels.  

Should the CR pass and be signed into law, LIHEAP will be funded at a minimum level of $3.478 billion nationally. Without the language, the program could have been reduced to as little as $2.82 billion during the winter months. Senators Snowe and Reed remain committed to urging Congress and the Administration to provide additional funding for the program given last year’s total was a drastic cut from the year before.  

“The funding Senator Reed and I were able to secure in the Continuing Resolution for LIHEAP this winter will certainly help the many families who will struggle to pay heating bills as colder temperatures arrive,” said Senator Snowe. “While we have ensured LIHEAP cannot face a draconian cut in funding from last year’s level, we in Congress must continue to work to find additional funding for the program. With heating oil prices as high as $3.80 per gallon in Maine, the program remains well-below the level it should be to ensure the most vulnerable Mainers can stay warm during our harsh winter at a time.”

"LIHEAP is a proven, cost-effective program that provides critical heating assistance for those in need.  I am pleased we were able to provide a measure of certainty to ensure states can get their LIHEAP funding this winter and I will continue working to ensure we need to do everything we can to help protect our most vulnerable citizens," said Senator Reed.

BACKGROUND:  LIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low-income families and seniors on fixed-incomes with their energy bills, providing vital assistance during the cold winter months.  It is a unique seasonal program where if funding is not finalized before winter, millions of low income households run the risk of not receiving assistance during the coldest months.

Last year Congress provided a total of $3.478 billion in LIHEAP funds for low-income households.  According to the National Energy Assistance Director’s Association (NEADA), LIHEAP provided vital energy assistance to 8.9 million households in 2011 – an increase of 54 percent since 2008.