HARRISBURG, Pa., March 20, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Pennsylvania's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded heating assistance program which assists the Commonwealth's low-income households to meet their heating needs. This valuable program is scheduled to close tomorrow, March 21, 2008 -- with a conservative estimate of $20 million in funds remaining.
Energy providers and advocates for consumers urge Governor Rendell and the Department of Public Welfare to extend the LIHEAP program close date to allow Pennsylvania's neediest citizens to obtain vital assistance using the funds specifically intended for this purpose. Allowing the funds to go unused sends Washington the message that perhaps the federal funding was not really needed. This would be incorrect, especially when considering:
* Cold, wintery weather is forecasted for PA over the next couple of weeks * Higher than normal energy and heating prices * Low income consumers continue to need assistance to address the energy costs of the past winter. * The 2007-08 LIHEAP State Plan provides that "if the level of (federal) funding were greater than anticipated, DPW would explore the feasibility of increasing benefit levels, operating a longer cash and/or crisis program." * LIHEAP Budget Projection numbers compiled by DPW reveal that the state has received approximately $200 million in LIHEAP funding this year. Though March 16, 2008, approximately $160 million has been spent with applications still remaining to be processed. * A conservative estimate indicates that $20 million remains available to assist low income households.
Acting now to extend the program sends the right message by assisting thousands of potential applicants who may be facing a heating crisis. Closing the program prematurely, where remaining funds exist, sends the wrong message to Washington D.C. and could result in a reduced LIHEAP allocation in subsequent years.