Rep. Rachel Chaleski Applauds Additional Funding Approved For LIHEAP

**News Release Submitted by Connecticut House Republicans**

Feb. 15, 2024

The General Assembly met February 14, 2024 and approved emergency legislation to allocate up to $13.5 million for the state organization that distributes the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, funding to cover all participants that have exhausted their allotted benefits, and $3.5 million for Operation Fuel.

"Enrollment trends are outpacing initial allocations for the 2023-2024 winter season. I'm glad that there was overwhelming support in the House for additional funding to meet this critical need," said Representative Rachel Chaleski (R-138).

The Danbury-based Community Action Agency of Western CT (CAAWC) is reporting that 2,164 approved households are receiving heating fuel benefits this season. Of those, 1,146 clients have exhausted their home heating fuel benefits, leaving $300 or less in heating benefits. The oil cost is $320 or above for a minimum delivery of 100 gallons. CAAWC says without additional support, the stark reality is that 3,641 households could find themselves without the vital home heating fuel they depend on for survival.

“When the 2023 General Assembly session began, I introduced a bill aimed at maximizing the limited resources in this federally funded program to better serve LIHEAP applicants. My proposal would make higher-margin payments to heating fuel companies participating in LIHEAP anytime the wholesale price of diesel reaches $3 per gallon," said Chaleski.

The concepts were later raised in SB 1110, which passed by way of the bipartisan biennium budget. The Department of Social Services is required to ensure an adequate supply of vendors for LIHEAP by establishing county and regional pricing standards for deliverable fuel, reimbursing fuel providers based on the price of the fuel on the date of delivery, and allowing a vendor to electronically submit an authorized fuel slip or invoice for payment.

“I introduced the LIHEAP vendor bill because vendor participation is voluntary and supplier interest was waning due to rising costs. In Danbury and across the state, there are many family-owned and operated fuel delivery companies. These small businesses are running a business to provide a service to our community, as well as to support themselves and their families. In speaking with them, I’ve come to learn of the hardships that come with continuing service through LIHEAP," said Chaleski.

LIHEAP applications in Connecticut increased 21.4% from 2022 to 2023 and enrollment increased 14.7%, with the number of households served in 2023 being the highest in the past nine years.