Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, today called on House Budget Committee leaders to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families and seniors deal with rising home energy costs.  Along with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Boustany requested that LIHEAP receive complete funding of $5.1 billion for the coming fiscal year.

“LIHEAP is a vital safety net that helps many low-income families and seniors in Southwest Louisiana stay healthy and cool during the summer,” Boustany said.  “Seniors should not have to choose between paying their home energy bill and meeting the expenses of other basic essentials such as food or prescription drugs.  Congress has a responsibility to fully authorize this program.”

Each year, almost 5 million low-income households across the country receive LIHEAP assistance.  These families often carry a higher energy burden than do most Americans – spending up to 17 percent of their income on home energy bills.  

Louisiana residents interested in applying for LIHEAP assistance should contact the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency at 1-888-454-2001, or on the web at http://www.lhfa.state.la.us/ .