Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Request Full Funding for Critical LIHEAP Program

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a longtime champion of providing assistance to low-income families to heat their homes, today began an effort to request full funding for this critical program for the next fiscal year. Markey joined with other key lawmakers to circulate a letter to all 435 House Members seeking signatures on a joint letter to the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, urging that at least $5.1 billion be provided to support the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program in 2011, as well as nearly $600 million in additional emergency funds for 2011.

“As we wait for our economy to heat back up, we must make sure no one is left out in the cold this winter,” said Markey.  “We must ensure that this critical program is fully funded next year, in order to meet the continued record levels of demand for heating assistance.”

  The LIHEAP program is on track for a third year in a row of record-breaking requests for assistance, with as many as 10 million families expected to apply for aid. Last year, states assisted 8.3 million households, with more than 186,000 Massachusetts families receiving help in 2009. There has been nearly a 20 percent increase in applications for assistance in Massachusetts thus far this winter, as average household expenditures on heating oil are expected to increase to $1,911 from $1,864 last year, according to the Department of Energy.

Rep. Markey recently introduced legislation that would increase the funding available for the vital home energy assistance program and expand those who are eligible to receive aid and has called for the Obama administration to release the remaining emergency funds from this year’s pool.

Rep. Markey was joined on the letter being circulated in the House by Reps. James Oberstar (D-MN.), Michael Castle (R-DE.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

A full copy of the letter can be found here http://markey.house.gov/docs/liheapdc.doc