Brown Urges Feds to Release Funds for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps Ohio’s low-income households and seniors pay energy bills during the cold winter and hot summer months.

“As temperatures go from one extreme to the other, we must make sure Ohio families are able to keep their homes warm this winter,” said Brown. “Ohioans shouldn’t have to choose between keeping warm or putting food on the table.”

In a letter to HHS Secretary Tom Price, Brown and his colleagues urged Price to release LIHEAP funds to states. Full text of the letter is below and here.

The Honorable Thomas E. Price, M.D.

Secretary

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

330 C St SW

Washington, D.C. 20416

Dear Secretary Price:

As state agencies prepare their Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) programs for the winter, we respectfully request that the Department of Health and Human Services release LIHEAP funds as quickly and at as high of a level as possible under the current continuing resolution.

LIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, providing critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months. This funding has been an indispensable lifeline during challenging economic times, helping to ensure that recipients do not have to choose between paying their energy bills and paying for other necessities like food or medicine. On average, low-income families and seniors spend a higher proportion of their income on energy, and for many states, October marks the start of the heating season, creating an additional constraint on these household budgets.

As the relevant state agencies begin to provide assistance for this winter, it is critical that they have the resources to assist low-income households and seniors as soon as possible. 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 the upcoming season.

We look forward to continuing to work with you on this critical program, and thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents.

Sincerely,

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