Millions of families forced to choose between 'heat or food' as LIHEAP urges utility companies to avert energy crisis
STATES have sent out an urgent warning to energy companies to prevent millions of families from going without heating this winter.
As the government shutdown drags on, The National Energy Assistance Directors Association representing state directors of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is pleading with electric and gas utilities to suspend service disconnections for nonpayment.
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The delay in critical federal aid due to a political gridlock in Congress is putting millions of low income families at risk of losing utility service just as cold weather approaches.
The body is urging utilities to keep service going until LIHEAP funds are released and “households regain access to vital financial assistance”.
The group said millions of families were at risk of falling behind utilities bills without federal funding.
The shutdown has delayed the release of this critical energy aid, leaving some of the nation’s poorest families without the support they rely on to heat their homes as colder weather approaches,” NEADA said in a statement.
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“At the same time, electricity and natural gas prices have risen sharply, placing additional strain on already stretched household budgets.”
‘HEAT OR FOOD’
Mark Wolfe, the Executive Director of NEADA said: “No family should be forced to choose between heat and food because of a federal funding delay”.
“Utilities must act in the public interest and pause shutoffs until federal aid is available again.”
At the same time, electricity and gas prices have surged with average home energy costs produced to increase nearly eight per cent this winter.
NEADA data showed about 21 million households, or one in six, are behind on their energy bills.
The federal funds are delayed due to the government shutdown, which is caused by a political gridlock in Congress over the budget.
HISTORIC SHUTDOWN
The government shutdown began on October 1 and has now extended into the second longest in US history.
Republicans were backing a measure that would keep the government funded through November 21.
However, Democrats have blocked the measure over concerns about healthcare issues such as cuts to Medicaid.
Congress has voted 12 times to reopen the government but each attempt has failed.
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN MEANS?
Congress failed to pass a funding bill, forcing a federal government shutdown. So what does it mean?
- Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been sent home without pay, and will be paid when the shutdown ends.
- Essential workers like air traffic controllers, law enforcement are required to continue to work during the shutdown.
- National parks and monuments, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, face closure.
- Key programs like Head Start and SNAP food assistance are also at risk.
- Routine inspections like food safety, scientific research are suspended or reduced.
LIHEAP is a discretionary program, meaning it must be approved by Congress as part of the budget process.
When the government is shut down, no new funding is available.
Also, the government shutdown has caused huge staffing shortages in multiple government agencies with thousands of federal staff furloughed.