Commonwealth will receive more than $182 million in home heating funds through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) this winter
Peabody, MA – January 26, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — As the Commonwealth deals with another bout of bitter cold temperatures, Congressman John Tierney today announced that Massachusetts is expected to receive an additional $8,672,501 in emergency contingency funding to help seniors and working families around the state heat their homes this winter. In total, the state will receive $182,246,823 in necessary energy assistance between October 2010 and March 4, 2011. These new funds come less than two weeks after Congressman Tierney announced $72,765,243 in LIHEAP funds.
“Many of our local seniors and working families are struggling this winter to cover heating costs. With this additional funding, those in our community who need a little help to get through the cold winter months will no longer have to choose between putting food on the table and purchasing fuel to heat their homes,” said Congressman John Tierney.
In 2010, the LIHEAP program received $5.1 billion. This year, when state disbursements under the LIHEAP program began in October, the program received just $3.3 billion. However, in recent months, Congressman Tierney and many of his colleagues consistently called for an increase in support for our seniors, especially as many local residents continue to struggle during these tough economic times. As a result, the temporary budget passed by Congress to fund the Federal Government through March 4, 2011 increased funding for LIHEAP to match last year’s $5.1 billion. Massachusetts residents will now receive additional funding that will nearly match last year’s allocation.
