A vital energy assistance program for Connecticut families in need allows them to Apply for additional $430 aid this winterannounced by the administration of Governor Ned Lamont.
This will increase the maximum amount of assistance a household can receive through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program this winter from $1,890 to $2,320.
The state’s Department of Social Services announced aid levels on Friday as Congress approved additional aid. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programcommonly known as LIHEAP — is the primary source of funding for energy aid efforts in Connecticut.
Connecticut, which already had $94 million in federal LIHEAP commitments this winter, can now expect another $20 million from Washington. this is, $1.7 trillion spending plan The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that would fund the federal government through Sept. 30.
“This additional federal support for our Energy Assistance Program, as well as state-allocated funding, will help provide additional heating assistance to homes this winter season,” Lamont said Friday. “Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to consider applying for this program to help them get through the winter.”
But the total $114 million is needed to keep many low- and middle-income families from sacrificing food and medicine to keep their homes from freezing this winter, some say. It’s a far cry from what energy support advocates say. Also, her $30 million for state officials set aside for the program may not be enough.
During a special session last November, Lamont and the General Assembly conditionally pledged $30 million in state resources to supplement energy assistance this winter. These funds will not be used until the $114 million is exhausted.
Based on an initial federal allocation of $94 million for Connecticut’s energy assistance, state officials announced in late August a base benefit of $250 to $600 per household, depending on income and other factors. I have created a distribution plan to offer.
Families may be eligible for one to three additional “crisis” payments of $430 each to get them through the winter.
But an announcement Friday by the Lamont administration said that families in need could seek a fourth $430 crisis payment, and could receive up to $2,320 in total this winter, but that’s two. This is well below the peak relief level of $2,980 granted a year ago.
And that’s less than half the $4,825 peak support provided by the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program last winter. Helping families adapt as federal unemployment benefits and tax credits expire, ordered even during the worst of the coronavirus outbreak.
Also, heating oil prices have been much more favorable for the last two winters than they are now. According to Ministry of Energy and Environmental Protection records.
The average retail price this week was $4.34 per gallon. This is 37% higher than the $3.16 recorded a year ago so far and 85% higher than the $2.34 recorded in late December 2020.
Connecticut’s Local Community Action Agency, which works with Connecticut social service officials to help families secure energy assistance, is grateful for the additional funding added by Congress, said an executive from the Connecticut Community Action Association. Director Deb Polun said Friday.
But Pollan added that many families are already taking full advantage of energy aid from Connecticut. CAFCA and our agents [state officials] So that people can recognize and access additional critical benefits. ”
Connecticut AARP executive director Nora Duncan described Friday’s action by Congress and the Lamont administration as “good progress, but [state] Congress and governors should consider this when they go into regular sessions beginning January 4.
“If all these dollars are spent and people are in crisis, [state officials] We need to be ready to act,” Duncan said, noting that families struggling with kerosene costs and inflation were already facing significant electricity price increases in January.
Republican legislators say Connecticut’s energy aid budget should be close to $200 million to meet all needs, and Lamont and his fellow Democrats, who hold the majority in the House and Senate, want the state to ‘s huge budget surplus needs to be further aided.
The Lamont administration expects the state budget to close on June 30th. About $2.8 billion lefta whopping cushion equivalent to about 13% of the general fund.
“The work is not done yet,” State Senate Majority Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) said Friday. “Due to the recent drop in funding from Washington, Connecticut has seen a significant drop in support for home heating compared to last year. At this time of skyrocketing, we must do more, not less relief.”
Keith M. Phaneuf is a reporter for The Connecticut Mirror ( ). Copyright 2022 © Connecticut Mirror.
