Contact your member of Congress

There are five ways you can contact your representatives to deliver a message: via email, telephone, fax, regular mail, or in person. According to Capitol Hill staffers, the most effective method of message delivery is the most traditional -- a short, well-crafted, personal letter from a constituent. Faxing and email are two other common methods of message delivery, especially in the last ten years. While email, in particular, makes it very easy to fire off a quick message to your representative, you should keep in mind that most offices receive thousands of emails a day, and the content of your email probably won't be given the same thorough treatment as a mailed letter would.

Above all, though, is the undeniable importance of citizens weighing in on issues that concern them, so please take a moment to follow these steps to ensure that the LIHEAP program is recognized by lawmakers as a program that deserves continued federal support, and one that is making a lasting difference in communities across the United States.

B. Search for your representatives

First you'll need to know who represents you in Congress. Except in a few states you have three; your representative in the House and two senators. Click here to go to a search engine where you can type in your ZIP code and find out the names and addresses of all your federal representatives.

C. Sample Letter

Below is a sample letter that you can use as a guide when writing something in your own words. You can copy/paste the text below, or download this letter as a Microsoft Word document by clicking here.

[Date]

The Honorable [fill in name]
[fill in office address]
Washington, DC 20_ _ _

Dear Representative/Senator [fill in name]:

Proposed cutbacks are jeopardizing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, better known as LIHEAP. More than 4 million American households rely on the program annually. Without the assistance LIHEAP provides, these people would be forced to forgo basic necessities such as food or medication in order to heat or cool their homes. To the elderly, disabled, working poor, families with young children or individuals making the transition from welfare to work, LIHEAP can mean the difference between life and death.

Total available funding for the program has been slashed from to $2.25 billion in the 2001 to less than $2 billion for 2003. Now, unfortunately, some lawmakers are recommending a further reduction.

Local social service agencies and fuel funds cannot shoulder the growing demands alone; LIHEAP funds are an essential resource. Difficult economic times only heighten the urgent need to fund LIHEAP. Congress should restore LIHEAP funding to $2.25 billion level. Anything less leaves many poor, elderly, and disabled Americans out in the cold.

Sincerely,

Community member

D. Salutations

Here is the proper way to address the letter.

For a Representative:
The Honorable
<<name of your member>>
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congress(wo)man:

For a Senator:
The Honorable
<<name of your senator>>
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

E. Send it off!

Thanks so much for supporting LIHEAP's efforts.