REGIONAL- Those who have or plan to apply for low-income housing energy assistance (LIHEAP) this year can rest easier now that the federal government has released $3.7 billion in funding for the program this week.
LIHEAP was a target of Congressional Republicans during negotiations over a continuing budget resolution in September to avert a government shutdown. Republicans wanted to slash the low-income assistance program by 65 percent, but that cut was avoided in the final agreement. The resolution that was passed continued government funding through Nov. 17, and the current stalemate over naming a new Speaker of the House of Representatives to replace deposed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has left the House unable to act on a budget resolution with the deadline looming.
But Pat Fisher, public affairs specialist for the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) confirmed for the Timberjay on Tuesday that the $3.7 billion authorized under the continuing resolution has been released to the state departments that administer the program, which in Minnesota is the Department of Commerce.
“LIHEAP is a lifeline for households across the country who need support with their home energy bills,” said ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild in a press release accompanying Fisher’s response. “Last year alone LIHEAP served more than six million households. By helping to alleviate the burden of home energy costs, LIHEAP advances ACF’s mission to promote the economic and social well-being of children, families, and communities.”
LIHEAP funds can be used for heating and cooling bill assistance, home energy equipment repair and replacement and minor energy-related home repairs.
The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) administers the LIHEAP program in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties. Energy Assistance Manager Jean Pelletier told the Timberjay that they are accepting applications and that they are being processed. However, AEOA has not yet received its current year funding from the state, something not unexpected given the delay in releasing the funding at the federal level until this week.
The Timberjay also contacted the Department of Commerce for this story, but no comments were provided prior to press time.
An online LIHEAP application is available on the Department of Commerce website at energy-assistance.web.commerce.state.mn.us/. A program description, income guidelines, and a printable application is available on the AEOA website at www.aeoa.org/energy-assistance-program.