(Senators Tina Smith Left / Amy Klobuchar / Right)
U-S Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to release remaining funding for LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
MNN’s Tasha Redel has more…
“In a letter to the department, the senators said LIHEAP is a critical federal program that helps low-income households and seniors pay their energy bills. They noted that in Minnesota, LIHEAP has assisted more than 100,000 households this winter and prevented over 17,000 service disruptions. “With parts of Minnesota still experiencing freezing temperatures, timely funding is critical,” the senators wrote, warning that families should not be forced to choose between paying energy bills and covering basic needs like food or medicine.”
LIHEAP assists with home energy costs and can also be used to improve energy efficiency and respond to energy emergencies, such as replacing a furnace.
The request to release the balance of LIHEAP funds comes as Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule protections, which prevent residential electric and natural gas disconnections for non-payment, are set to end on April 30th.
Officials say however, that some customers may still be eligible for state energy assistance programs, which are often available through May 31.
In Wright County, more information is available from Wright County Community Action in Maple Lake at (320) 963-6500.
(content: in part, courtesy MNN)
