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Assistance for Home Heating Oil Costs
With the price of oil now hovering near $130 per barrel, families
faced a hike in their heating fuel bills of over 20 percent this
winter. Since temperatures in Vermont often remain below zero for
days at a time, low-income Vermonters are particularly at risk. No
family should be forced to choose between heating their home and
putting food on the table.
T o help families afford their skyrocketing home heating bills,
Congress passed a 2008 federal spending bill that provides $2.57
billion in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP), which assists low-income households that are struggling
with home energy expenses. This bill includes $586 million in
contingency funding that is released at the discretion of the
President. Senator Leahy joined with Senator Sanders and Congressman
Welch to compel the President to release those funds immediately,
and recently over $5 million in emergency relief was released and is
going directly to Vermonters. These funds are providing direct and
immediate assistance to families struggling with their heating
bills.
If you need assistance with your home heating costs, contact the
Vermont Fuel Assistance Program, administered by the Economic
Services Division of the Department for Children and Families, at
1-800-479-6151 or 1-800-241-1165. You can also get information on
the Fuels Assistance Program and download application materials at
their
website.
Statement -
Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.),
On The Warm In Winter And Cool In Summer Act, Senate Floor July 26,
2008
Statement -
Of Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On Oil Prices And Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program, Press Conference, Burlington, Monday,
July 7, 2008
Statement -
On Oil Prices And Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program, Press Conference, Monday, July 7,
2008
Release -
As Fuel Prices Continue To Skyrocket, Key Panel Okays Leahy Amendment
Directing Bush Administration To Release $120 Million In Emergency Home
Heating Relief June 26, 2008
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