MAINE RECEIVES $1.3 MILLION IN LIHEAP FUNDING REQUESTED BY SENATOR COLLINS

Washington, DC—Senator Collins today announced that Maine has received an additional $1,314,104 in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. These emergency funds will help working families and the elderly pay their heating bills. Senator Collins, co-chair of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, had requested that the Administration release all emergency LIHEAP funds. The Department of Health and Human Services announced today the distribution of $50 million in emergency funding to states.

"Increased energy prices combined with persistent cold winter temperatures are putting a strain on Maine families. This emergency LIHEAP funding will help those families most in need with their home heating costs, keeping them safe and warm," Senator Collins said. "Without this aid, some families would have to make the impossible choice of heating their homes or buying groceries."

LIHEAP is a federal block grant program that provides states with annual funding to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households. In addition to helping to pay energy bills for low-income families and the elderly, LIHEAP helps to fund energy crisis intervention programs, low-cost residential weatherization and other energy-related home repairs. Each year, 4.5 million low-income families rely on LIHEAP to assist with the costs of heating their homes.

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