BOSTON – Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield) and Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) authored a letter to the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means to request $20 million in state aid to supplement the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, otherwise known as LIHEAP. The two Senators have become allies in their advocacy for adequate funding of this important program.
“For many of our constituents, LIHEAP has been essential to how they deal with the cold weather,” Knapik said. “With the latest cold snap and the high cost associated with heating one’s home, this funding will ensure the safeguard many have come to rely on is maintained,” Senator Knapik added.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded block grant program, administered at the state and local level, that helps low-income elders, families, and other households pay their heating bills. The benefit each household receives depends on the amount allocated to the Commonwealth by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The program has experienced cuts in funding over several past budget cycles.
Although federal budget negotiations are ongoing, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the state agency in charge of dispersing these funds, received $126,910,510 last fall though the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013 to administer the program. This apportionment represents 90% of the FY12 appropriation. The supplemental request would ensure level funding of the program in Massachusetts.
The Supplemental Budget process is a way for the Commonwealth to increase programs that are experiencing funding shortfalls. On Wednesday, February 6th, the House of Representatives is expected to take action on a supplemental budget filed by Governor Patrick to allocate funds to cover the costs of the investigation, court proceedings, and other expenses related to the mishandling of evidence at the state crime lab in Jamaica Plain, provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy, supplement the Sheriff’s Department accounts, and provide further funding to various other state-funded programs and services.
