National Survey Finds
82 Percent of Americans Favor Government
Heating/Cooling Assistance for the Poor

July 21, 1998

View survey | View survey methodology

WASHINGTON -- Eight out of 10 Americans believe the federal government should help poor families and the elderly pay their utility bills during cold- or hot-weather emergencies, according to a landmark survey released Tuesday by the Campaign to Keep America Warm.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote as early as Wednesday on an $82 billion appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education.  The House Appropriations Committee voted along party lines on July 13 to approve the bill, which eliminates funding for LIHEAP and some other social programs in order to increase spending on health research.
 
The survey found overwhelming support -- by a more than 2-to-1 margin -- to increase spending for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federal program that helps the poor, the elderly, the disabled and the working poor pay their utility bills during the peak heating and cooling seasons.

"The results are overwhelming and consistent throughout the country," said James C. Benfield, executive director of the Campaign.  "Simply put, Americans believe we have a responsibility to help each other survive the worst of times.  LIHEAP is one federal program that the public wants, and our findings send a clear message to Congress: that lawmakers must come up with the money to keep it running."

The study funded by the Campaign was conducted by the Behavior Research Center of Phoenix, Arizona, an independent social research institute.

It found that, by a margin of roughly 10-to-1, Americans believe it is harder now than it was five years ago for poor families and senior citizens to pay their utility bills and that nearly six out of 10 believe the cost to heat or cool their own homes is higher today than five years ago.

Although a minority of respondents recognized LIHEAP by name, 82 percent of those surveyed favored the goal of programs to meet the energy needs of the elderly and poor.
"Support is consistent across the U.S., sinking to under 80 percent in only four regions; but even in these regions, support registers at 76 percent or higher," said Earl DeBerge, director of the Behavior Research Center.

Public support for expanding LIHEAP was broad enough to constitute a mandate, Benfield said.

"Twenty-eight percent favor a 'substantial' increase in funding for LIHEAP, and 40 percent favor a 'moderate' increase," he said.  "Almost seven out of every 10 people want at least some increase in spending for the program.  That's a very different position than the one taken by House appropriators who would do away with it entirely -- and the public is right."
The study is the first ever to survey the nation on its views about LIHEAP.

DeBerge said the survey is based on a random sample of adult heads of households in all 50 states.  A total of 810 interviews were completed from June 26-July 1, and he said the survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

The Campaign to Keep America Warm is a broad-based coalition of advocates for the poor, consumer advocates and utilities.  Among its members are the Alliance to Save Energy, American Gas Association, Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, National Community Action Foundation, National Fuel Funds Network and The Salvation Army.   For poll results, please click here. For information on the poll's methodology, please click here.