Vermont’s congressional delegation announced on Friday that the state will receive $17 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program this year.
The funding provides fuel subsidies for more than 25,000 Vermonters.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., issued a joint press release about the release of funding in which they lauded the program.
“Seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, and low-income families spend a growing portion of their income heating their homes,” they wrote. “Without this bridge of assistance, many Vermonters must choose between heating and other vital necessities, including food and costly prescription drugs. LIHEAP is a program that proves, year after year, to be one of the most effective expenditures of taxpayer dollars, and successfully leverages investments from all stakeholders in keeping Vermont families safe and healthy.”
Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will spend $3 billion this year on LIHEAP. That figure represents 90 percent of the funding approved for LIHEAP under the Continuing Appropriations Act signed into law last month. The agency will release the rest of the funds once the fiscal year 2016 appropriations bills are approved.
The congressional delegation asked for the release of as much funding as possible after the enactment of the continuing budget resolution last month.
In Vermont, funds are distributed through the Office of Economic Opportunity, a division of the Department for Children and Families, and the state’s five community action agencies.
To apply for home heating assistance, click here: http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance
