BREAKING: As Colder Weather Sets In, Shaheen Leads NH Delegation in Announcing Over $25M to Help Low-Income Granite Staters Access Heating Assistance
**Announcement follows a bipartisan letter sent by Shaheen & Hassan to the Biden administration last month urging swift release of LIHEAP funding**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, led the New Hampshire congressional delegation in announcing robust federal funding for New Hampshire from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in support of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). HHS announced a total of $25,192,436 for the Granite State, which follows a bipartisan letter sent by Shaheen and Senator Hassan (D-NH) urging for swift release of LIHEAP funding as temperatures begin to drop.
“I’m relieved to see the administration heed our bipartisan calls in Congress to promptly disburse this federal funding to our communities, which is urgently needed as the colder weather sets in. Especially as our families work to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, every dollar counts. These federal resources will help our most vulnerable communities stay warm and safe, which is why bolstering the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is always a priority for me as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’ll keep working with the administration to see that necessary federal support is delivered to Granite Staters in need as swiftly as possible.”
“New England winters are tough and with winter approaching and heating prices predicted to rise, we must make sure that Granite State families can stay warm,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad to announce that following our bipartisan call, the administration is releasing federal funds to help families afford home heating costs and make cost-saving home energy repairs and improvements. This award will help make a meaningful difference in the lives of Granite Staters, and I will keep pushing to help ensure that Americans across the country can afford to stay warm in their homes this winter.”
“Even before COVID-19 hit, many families in New Hampshire struggled with their energy bills, and these federal funds will help Granite Staters stay warm this winter,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I was proud to advocate for the release of these funds to lift up families in our state, and am pleased to see the Biden administration take action to support those in need. I introduced the Energy Debt Relief for American Families Act earlier this year because I believe no American should have to decide between buying groceries or heating their home. I will keep fighting to make sure no one is left in the cold.”
“As the weather grows colder, it’s critical that we quickly make heating assistance available to New Hampshire families,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m pleased that these federal funds are arriving at the right time to help Granite Staters stay safe and warm, and we must continue working to ensure our families' needs are met throughout the winter.”
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ensuring Granite State families and seniors have access to heating and energy assistance has been a top priority for Senator Shaheen. Shaheen has historically saved and boosted funding for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which former President Trump’s budget proposals repeatedly sought to eliminate. In addition to the $900 million in LIHEAP funds allocated through the CARES Act, Shaheen and Hassan worked to secure $4.5 billion for LIHEAP in the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law earlier this year.
Senator Hassan is working across the aisle to bring down energy costs for Granite Staters. Senators Hassan and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced bipartisan legislation to help lower energy costs for families and reduce carbon emissions by expanding and extending a tax credit for energy efficient home upgrades. Key measures from the Senators’ bill were included in the bipartisan Clean Energy for America Act that recently passed the Senate Finance Committee and would help improve energy efficiency.
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