Trahan Applauds Fed Increase in Household Energy Assistance Funds by $1 Million This Season

Those who rely on Haverhill-based Community Action to help pay for their winter heating bills may find relief knowing the agency is sharing in extra $1 million more statewide for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan said recently the state received $144,809,942 in federal home heating assistance money. The amounts represent $135.1 million from the regular Energy Assistance Program plus another $9.7 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

“More than 100,000 families across the Commonwealth depend on LIHEAP funding to keep their homes warm during the winter. This timely disbursement of federal home heating assistance from the Biden-Harris administration will be welcome news for those worried about being forced to choose between paying their utility bill and putting food on the table. I look forward to working with our community advocacy agencies to make sure eligible families get the assistance they need,” said Trahan in a statement.

Both homeowners and renters are eligible for home heating assistance money, which are distributed using state-specific income thresholds. In Massachusetts, eligibility is determined by 60% of the estimated state median income. Those estimates for this year include $49,196 for a single-person household, $64,333 for two people; $79,470 for three people and $94,608 for a four-person household.

Trahan said, while federal funding increased with passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the program continues to be underfunded, with just one in five eligible households currently receiving assistance. Last year, Trahan and Congressman James P. McGovern led 114 of their colleagues in requesting increased LIHEAP funding totaling $1.6 billion to meet the true need for aid.