"The high energy prices incurred during the harsh winter months put an incredible financial strain on many families making them choose between paying their bills and buying food," Senator Collins said. "This additional emergency LIHEAP funding will give families the help they need so they don''t have to sacrifice one basic need for another."
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. A bi-partisan group of 50 Senators, including Senator Olympia Snowe, singed the letter to the Administration. Senator Susan Collins is Co-Chair of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition and has consistently fought for more LIHEAP funding for Maine.