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Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today called for emergency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help low-income Americans pay their power bills this winter.
“Heating costs are rising, and the temperature is falling,” said Holt. “Home heating assistance is necessary for many New Jerseyans to keep their homes warm this winter. Congress needs to act now in order to avoid a crisis.”
States receive LIHEAP funds from the federal government and distribute assistance to eligible residents. An estimated 156,000 New Jerseyans will receive LIHEAP assistance for their power bills in 2005. President Bush’s budget for 2006 proposes to cut LIHEAP funding by $182 million. The emergency spending measures passed by Congress to pay for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief did not include additional funding for LIHEAP.
"The LIHEAP program is a lifeline for thousands of low-income New Jersey residents," said New Jersey Department of Human Services Commissioner James Davy. "It would be devastating for people who are barely making it financially to have their heating bills increase by as much as 60 percent and not get some kind of help. I urge Congress and the President to increase the funding for LIHEAP."
According to estimates from the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), costs for heating a home with natural gas will rise by 64%, and costs for homes that use heating oil will rise nearly a third from last winter. NEADA also reports that households with children, elderly, or disabled residents are among the most vulnerable.
“With home heating oil expected to increase by as much as 31% this year and residents already facing a 71% increase over last year’s natural gas costs, energy costs are going to have an even greater impact on families this year,” said Mark Wolfe of NEADA. “These rising prices impact those that are forced to decide between heating their homes, buying prescriptions, and skipping a meal.”
"More and more New Jerseyans, including many senior citizens, are finding it difficult to pay their heating bills at current prices, and yet prices are on the rise," said Charles A. Richman, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs. "Without an increase in federal LIHEAP funding, our families will be left out in the cold."
“This winter’s heating bills are expected to be unprecedented and will likely burden most NJ residents,” said NJPBU President Jeanne M. Fox. “The BPU is working hard not only to connect customers with heating assistance programs, but also strongly encourage energy saving measures as the key to reduce overall usage and costs.”
"With a growing number of households in New Jersey seeking assistance and escalating energy prices, the lack of sufficient funding is simply unconscionable,” said New Jersey Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh. We have to make sure our residents are not forced to choose between buying food and heat this winter."
“Spiraling energy costs will bring more families to our doors this winter unless more funds are appropriated to LIHEAP,” said Joyce Campbell, Director of Emergency and Community Services for Catholic Charities, an organization that assists families who cannot afford basic necessities.
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