Margaret Wood Hassan
03/17/2023 | Press release | Archived content
Shaheen Leads NH Delegation in Welcoming Over $4.2 Million in Additional LIHEAP Funds
(Washington, DC) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), applauded the recent announcement that New Hampshire will receive an additional $4,232,260 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). These funds were allocated as part of $1 Billion of Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) Disaster Supplemental Funds.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills by providing payment and energy crisis assistance to pay for gas, electric and other methods customers use to heat their homes. This latest allocation brings New Hampshire's fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriation for LIHEAP up to $ 45.8 million. Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds LIHEAP, supported significantly increased funding for the program in the FY 2023 government funding bill that has since been signed into law.
"Throughout this winter, LIHEAP has played a critical role in helping vulnerable Granite Staters lower their utility bills," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm thrilled to see these additional funds headed to New Hampshire, ensuring those in need of heating assistance have the resources they need to cut heating costs and stay warm. I'll always work to find ways to lower home heating and energy costs, as well as advocate for programs, like LIHEAP, that are instrumental in supporting Granite State families."
"I am glad to see that more home energy assistance funding is coming to New Hampshire," said Senator Hassan. "This funding has been a critical resource for Granite Staters throughout the winter. I am glad to have secured additional resources for this program to ensure that more NH residents can access home heating assistance, and I will keep working on additional ways to bring down home energy costs."
"On the heels of the extreme nor'easter that blew through our state earlier this week, bringing strong winds and heavy snow, this funding will help ensure our most vulnerable populations can stay safe and warm," said Rep. Kuster. "I was proud to fight for this increased LIHEAP funding and I will continue working to lower energy costs for Granite Staters."
"It's welcome news that New Hampshire is receiving this additional funding for LIHEAP, especially as we continue to experience snow and cold weather," said Rep. Pappas. "LIHEAP is a critical program that helps ensure Granite Staters can remain warm and safe, and I will keep working to address New Hampshire's energy needs, support critical programs that serve our communities, and lower energy and home heating costs."
Senator Shaheen has consistently fought in the Senate to bolster funding for LIHEAP. On top of the $900 million in LIHEAP funds allocated through the CARES Act in 2020, Shaheen worked to secure $4.5 billion for LIHEAP in the American Rescue Plan that was signed into law in March 2021 and provided more than $35 million to New Hampshire. Senator Shaheen also used her role on Appropriations and as a lead negotiator for the bipartisan infrastructure law to push to increase LIHEAP funding for Granite State families, leading to the highest total of LIHEAP funding ever received in a 12-month period in New Hampshire history. Earlier this month, Shaheen joined a bipartisan group of Senators to call on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly release the remaining $1.5 billion in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding that Congress delivered in FY 2023.