Sen. Collins helps secure $8.8M for low-income and elderly heating assistance

Seacoast Online - In response to a request from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the Office of Management and Budget today agreed to release $450 million from its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency fund.

Of that, Maine is expected to receive $8.8 million to help low income and elderly families who are struggling with record home heating oil prices. An additional $136 million remains in the contingency fund.

"While it is encouraging news that the administration has agreed to my request to release these funds, the need for additional assistance remains critical," Collins said. "This winter has brought a sharp increase in applications for LIHEAP assistance, but hundreds of those requests are being turned down due to a shortage of funds. I will continue to seek the release of the remaining contingency funds. In addition, I am working with my colleagues to obtain additional emergency LIHEAP funding for this winter in order to help needy families who depend on this assistance".

The president recently signed an omnibus appropriations bill that includes $2.6 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2008, a $400 million increase over 2007 levels. Of that, Maine already received about $25.5 million in base LIHEAP funding for this winter. Today's announcement provides an additional $8.8 million for the state to help households deal with record-high oil prices.... read more >>