At Brown’s Urging, Feds Release Nearly $155 Million for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Programs in Ohio

Earlier this Month, Brown Pushed Trump Administration to Release Funds for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as Temperatures Began to Drop

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released $154,948,345 in funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps Ohio’s low-income households and seniors pay energy bills during the cold winter and hot summer months. The release of these funds comes after Brown joined his colleagues in a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, requesting HHS release the funds as quickly as possible so that low-income households and seniors can get the assistance they need ahead of the harsh winter months.

“Ohioans shouldn’t have to choose between keeping warm or putting food on the table,” said Brown. “These critical funds will help ensure Ohio families and seniors are able to keep their homes warm this winter.”

Brown has long been a supporter of LIHEAP programs. In February of this year, Brown pushed back against proposed cuts to LIHEAP. And Brown has urged both the Trump and the Obama Administration to release LIHEAP funds ahead of temperature changes each year.

Full Text of Brown’s most recent letter can be found below and here.

October 9, 2018

The Honorable Alex M. Azar II

Secretary

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

330 C. St SW

Washington, D.C. 20416

Dear Secretary Azar:

As state agencies prepare their Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) programs for the winter, we respectfully request that the Department of Health and Human Services release the LIHEAP funds included in the fiscal year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act as quickly as possible.

LIHEAP is the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, providing critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months. This funding has been an indispensable lifeline during challenging economic times, helping to ensure that recipients do not have to choose between paying their energy bills and paying for other necessities like food or medicine.  On average, low-income families and seniors spend a higher proportion of their income on energy, and for many states, October marks the start of the heating season, creating an additional constraint on these household budgets.

As the relevant state agencies begin to provide assistance for this winter, it is critical that they have the resources to assist low-income households and seniors as soon as possible.  Therefore, we request that you quickly release LIHEAP funds in order to allow states and low-income households to prepare for the upcoming season.

We look forward to continuing to work with you on this critical program and thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents.

Sincerely,