SHAHEEN SEEKS HEATING ASSISTANCE FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE FAMILIES

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen today urged Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to prevent deep cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that last year provided heating assistance to roughly 47,000 New Hampshire homes. 

"LIHEAP helps thousands of New Hampshire families stay warm over the winter, and I have deep concerns about proposed cuts to this critical source of heating assistance," said Shaheen.  "With the price of oil still too high and many families still recovering from the difficult economy, now is simply the wrong time to be cutting heating aid."   

Over half of New Hampshire families rely on home heating oil, and the price of heating oil is up 30 cents over its price this time last year.  The Energy Information Administration projects that the Northeast will spend almost 15 percent more for home heating oil this winter than last.  In addition, a growing number of families are relying on LIHEAP to get them through the economic downturn.

This year, if funding is cut, New Hampshire will be able to provide heating assistance to half as many homes as received assistance last year.  The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning predicts that LIHEAP will be fully subscribed by December 1 when the program opens. 

The full text of the letter to Secretary Sebelius is below.

November 16, 2010

The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius,

I write to express my concern about deep cuts in funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Families in my state and across the country will make difficult decisions this winter as a result of reduced heating assistance. In New England, we face long, cold winters and energy prices are among the highest in the country. Over half of New Hampshire families rely on home heating oil, and the price of heating oil is up 30 cents over its price this time last year. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that the Northeast will spend almost 15% more for home heating oil this winter than last. In addition, a growing number of families are relying on LIHEAP to get them through the economic downturn. This is simply the wrong time to cut LIHEAP funding.

Last year, New Hampshire received $40.8 million in LIHEAP funding, which allowed the state to provide $925 in heating assistance to roughly 47,000 homes. This year, if funding is cut, New Hampshire will receive about $19.7 million for heating assistance, which will provide approximately $703 to half as many homes. The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning predicts that LIHEAP will be fully subscribed by December 1 when the program opens. Without heating assistance, many needy families will be forced to choose between energy, medical and food expenses.

I know you appreciate how urgently the states need additional LIHEAP funding to maintain this critical safety net. I urge you to allocate first quarter funds based on the $5.1 billion funding level for LIHEAP in the FY2011 Continuing Resolution. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen            
United States Senator