BY TRACEY C. O’Neill
 |
| Autumn brings thoughts of cold weather early to the Rhode Island landscape. Fall colors paint Charlestown crimson. (Photo Tracey C. O’Neill) |
Washington,
D.C. – The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) on Monday released home energy heating
funds via block grant funding to the states in a Fiscal Year 2014 Continuing
Resolution (CR) approval.
Receiving more
than $20.7 million in funding, Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens will get
help with heating fuel assistance. Funded through the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), HHS
released a total of $2.9 billion in regular block grant funding, representing
90 percent of what was funded in FY 2013.
“We are still
waiting on the final appropriations funding level that will be provided once
Congress finishes their budget conference,” said Brandon Avila, spokesman for
the Campaign
for Home Energy Assistance in
a November 4 release. “The Campaign and its supporters in Congress have called
for at least $4.7 billion earlier this year. So far, the Senate
Appropriations Committee passed their bill with $3.6 billion, an increase over
the $3.25 billion that was provided last year after the sequestration
reduction.”
Bipartisan
effort heats homes
Senator Jack
Reed in a bi-partisan campaign with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), worked
diligently over the last few months to include LIHEAP funding language in the
CR, get it approved and released to states for consumption in anticipation of
the increased need in cold-weather months.
Due to a 30
percent reduction in funding since 2010 and increase in eligible recipients,
Reed and Collins requested that Congress fund LIHEAP at the previous
FY2012 level of $3.47 billion. A release from Reed on Monday noted that it is
unfortunate that LIHEAP funding is subject to “automatic, across the board
sequestration cuts.”
“I am pleased
the Obama Administration is releasing this vital heating assistance.
LIHEAP helps families in need deal with heating and financial challenges during
the cold winter months. With winter approaching it is critical to speed
this assistance to seniors and low-income families in time to help with their
heating bills,” said Reed.
New
England States Initial CR Funding
State
|
Initial
CR Release
|
Tribal
Set-Aside Award
|
Total
Initial Release
|
Rhode
Island
|
$
20,673,208
|
$58,743
|
$
20,731,951
|
Connecticut
|
$
67,584,301
|
0
|
$
67,584,301
|
Massachusetts
|
$121,630,740
|
$97,383
|
$121,728,123
|
Maine
|
$32,548,913
|
$1,234,796
|
$
33,783,709
|
New
Hampshire
|
$22,151,596
|
0
|
$
22,151,596
|
A complete list
of LIHEAP CR release funding can be found here.
United
Way 2-1-1 assistance calls grown in volume
The United
Way, 2-1-1 assistance
line has seen a steady stream of call volume related to heating and utility
assistance, similar to numbers reported in 2012, according to information
furnished on Tuesday. Call volume for 2012, encompassing all available
heating programs, including LIHEAP, Keep the Heat On, and the non-profit’s
referrals to churches and utility companies was reported at 50,052 annually.
The 2012 number was a 10 percent increase over 2011 volume at a monthly average
of 4,171 calls.
The 2013 volume
reported for the period was 41,639 calls at a monthly average
of 4,164 requests for assistance. The 2013 numbers are on par with the
2012 volume,and has the potential for further increase. according to
information provided by Michael Cerio, spokesperson for United Way 2-1-1.
“Since its
inception in 2007, United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island has handled more than 1 million calls
for help; establishing itself as a vital component of the state’s safety-net,”
said Anthony Maione, president & CEO, United Way of Rhode Island. “2-1-1 is
a free, confidential helpline available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a
week to help individuals and families during difficult times. Whether someone
needs financial assistance for heat or electricity, care for an aging parent,
help finding food for their family, or to connect with other community-based
services, 2-1-1 can
help.”
Where
to go for help
United Way 2-1-1
can be reached by dialing 211. For an online list of 2-1-1 services, click here.
Individuals in
need of LIHEAP applications should contact their local Community Action Agency
(CAP). For a list of Rhode Island CAPs click here.