Senator Boxer:  Home Energy Assistance Funds Available   

Wednesday, October 29, 2008  

Dear Friend:

Earlier this year, Congress included funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) as part of an annual funding bill that became law.  Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services made $5.1 billion available to help assist low-income families pay for home energy needs.  California will receive almost $250 million for LIHEAP.

The goal of LIHEAP is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, in meeting their immediate home energy needs.  I have strongly supported LIHEAP and am pleased that this funding will come to California during these tough economic times.

While federally funded, states actually administer the LIHEAP program, including setting many of the eligibility criteria.  If you would like to learn more, including whether you or someone you know might be eligible to receive assistance, you can view the California LIHEAP web feature by clicking on this link. (http://www.csd.ca.gov/Programs/Low%20Income%20Home%20Energy%20Assistance%20Program%20(LIHEAP).aspx)

You can also view the LIHEAP provider for your county by visiting the website of the California Department of Community Services & Development. <  http://www.csd.ca.gov/Programs/Energy%20Service%20Providers.aspx  >

Sincerely,