SENATOR ANWAR VOTES TO APPROVE $17M TO EXTEND HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Senate’s unanimous vote to approve $17 million to supplement dwindling federal funding for heating assistance for Connecticut residents through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Operation Fuel. There are over 70,000 households currently enrolled in these programs, and as of the end of January 2024, over 15,400 fuel delivery households have exhausted their LIHEAP benefits.
“As a physician and a pulmonary doctor, I have had patients on limited incomes forced to choose between paying for heat, medicine and food. It’s with this knowledge that I know we must intervene and step in to provide aid where we can,” said Sen. Anwar. “As my colleagues and I continue to look at ways to relieve these burdens, we cannot wait to provide relief to those in low-income homes and get them the aid we need. I am also thankful to our federal delegation for their support ,but this is not the last time we will have to address this issue. In the long term, we need to make sure the federal government does not further cut aid. This is about compassion and commitment to keep every citizen safe and healthy. Every person we help today has a story and will benefit from our support.”
The $17 million will be allocated from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. $13.5 million will go to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and distributes federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds. An additional $3.5 million will go to the non-profit Operation Fuel for home fuel delivery.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families warm through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. Operation Fuel is a Hartford-based nonprofit that provides year-round emergency energy assistance to low- to moderate-income households across Connecticut in collaboration with a statewide network of local fuel banks.
While LIHEAP is traditionally fully funded by the federal government, funds were increased significantly during fiscal years 2021 and 2022 in response to the pandemic. Republicans in Congress have since rolled back funding despite increased demand.
