March 23, 2018 – Congress has passed the full year funding bill with a 7% increase in LIHEAP funding. The bill provides an increase for LIHEAP from $3.39 billion to $3.64 billion, a difference of $250 million. The WAP also increased from $228 million to $251 million, an increase of $23 million
The passing of this bill is good news for LIHEAPs in states like Michigan and New York.
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, who is on the House Appropriations Committee, said, “I have been working very hard to make sure today’s legislation benefits the priorities of Michigan residents.” More than 440,000 Michiganders received LIHEAP assistance last year to help pay their home energy bills.
U.S. Sen. Minority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Hundreds of thousands of fixed-income seniors and low-to moderate-income New Yorkers each year rely on LIHEAP funding to help pay for the home heating costs that have become a larger and larger share of their budget. This major federal investment –of more than $3.64 billion in federal funding – will help New York’s most vulnerable cover their high energy costs.”
The bill passed in the House by a 256-to-167 vote.
To learn more about LIHEAP, visit the LIHEAP Clearinghouse website.
Source: media reports
