$13 million expected for Massachusetts low-income and vulnerable households

Washington (January 21, 2015) – As Massachusetts bundles up this winter, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today applauded the release by the Department of Health and Human Services of an additional $13 million in LIHEAP funding for Massachusetts. The additional funding comes as part of $300 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds released nationwide. With this release, Massachusetts will have received nearly $145 million in LIHEAP funding this year.

In an effort to seek an increase in funding for LIHEAP next year, Senator Markey last month joined a bipartisan group of 43 Senators calling on the President to provide FY 2016 funding for the home energy program at no less than $4.7 billion. LIHEAP is the primary federal program that helps vulnerable low-income households, seniors and veterans with their energy bills, providing life-saving assistance during both the cold winter and hot summer months.

“Snow and temperatures may be falling, but heating costs are still high, and it’s critically important that we protect vulnerable households who are struggling with the costs of heating their homes,” said Senator Markey. “I thank the Obama administration for releasing these vital LIHEAP funds to assist low-income families in Massachusetts who need it the most. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide full funding to this invaluable program that ensures our nation’s poorest households are not left choosing between bills and chills.”

Throughout his career in Congress, Senator Markey has been a staunch advocate for LIHEAP and is author of the law that established the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.