Did the Appropriations Bill Provide a Sufficient Increase in Low-Income Energy Assistance to Cover Spiraling Home Heating Costs?

Publication Date: November 2004

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Richard Kogan

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Economic projections; Income diversity; Economic inequality; Utilities costs

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Because of large increases in home heating costs in recent months, the funding level that Congress provided for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the recently enacted omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005 is not sufficient to cover the expected large increases in home heating costs.  Many poor households assisted by the program — the majority of which include a person who is elderly or disabled — may face considerable additional hardship during the coming winter.