FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 4, 2004
CONTACT: David Fox (202) 331-2962


WASHINGTON — President Bush made a good start by recommending in his new budget proposal that Congress appropriate $2 billion next year for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but more money is needed to help senior citizens, the disabled and poor families pay their heating bills, a coalition of advocates for the program said today.

"We keep seeing the same heart-wrenching stories all across the country: Heating bills are higher, more people are in need, and local LIHEAP programs are unable to keep up with an increased need for help," said David Fox, communications director for the Campaign for Home Energy Assistance.

"The fact that President Bush wants to continue LIHEAP funding at its current level while recommending cuts for other programs is certainly encouraging," Fox said. "But the sad fact is, the program helps fewer than one out of five households that qualify for assistance. We need more just to keep pace with demand."

In his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2005, the president recommended $1.8 billion for the LIHEAP state block grant program plus $200 million in emergency funds. The figure for block grants is at the same funding level as in FY 2004, but his request represents a $100 million increase in contingency funds – money that can be released by the White House to address energy crises.

Data reported by states to the Department of Health and Human Services shows an estimated 4.6 million low-income households received heating and/or cooling assistance through the program in FY 2001. That was only 15.5 percent of the more than 29 million households eligible for LIHEAP assistance. (The information can be found online in the Campaign’s LIHEAP Databook, available at http://www.liheap.org/databook/index.html.)

"We appreciate the president's continuing commitment to LIHEAP at a time when other domestic programs face cuts," Fox said. "But from Washington, DC, to Washington State, from Maine to California, LIHEAP programs are chronically underfunded. When local agencies face the prospect of turning people away because they don’t have enough money to serve all those who qualify for help, Congress – and the administration – need to take a closer look at LIHEAP and figure out how we can do more for our most vulnerable citizens."

The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance is a broad-based coalition of advocates for the poor, consumer advocates and utilities that support LIHEAP. Among its members are the Alliance to Save Energy, American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Catholic Charities, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Edison Electric Institute, Lutheran Services in America, National Fuel Funds Network, Natural Gas Supply Association, The Heat and Warmth Fund and The Salvation Army.

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