Senator Clinton Welcomes $2.6 Billion in LIHEAP Funding as Winter Snow Storms Blanket Much of Upstate New York

Clinton to Support Amendment Adding $800 Million in Additional Funding for Heating Assistance as Part of the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

December 18, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that $2.6 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will be included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. In addition, Senator Clinton announced that she is cosponsoring an amendment by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to add an additional $800 million in LIHEAP funding to the bill. Senator Clinton noted that LIHEAP funds are available now to help working families in New York and other cold weather states struggling with home heating costs, and highlighted information on how to apply for assistance.

“With the season’s first big storm putting much of upstate New York under a blanket of snow, and with energy prices continuing to climb ever higher, many families are struggling to keep their homes warm,” said Senator Clinton. “Working families shouldn't be forced to choose between buying food, buying medicine, and heating their homes. Yet, in spite of continuing increases in energy costs, President Bush's budget would have eliminated one million families from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to restore these cuts, and I will continue to fight for increased heating assistance. LIHEAP assistance is available now and I urge those struggling with home heating costs to contact their local offices to see if they qualify.”

Senator Clinton has worked tirelessly to increase LIHEAP funding to make sure working families are able to heat their homes in the midst of record energy costs. As early as this November, Senator Clinton called on President Bush to make available the remaining $20 million in the LIHEAP contingency fund, and joined several of her senate colleagues in calling on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to support a funding level of $5.1 billion for LIHEAP for the FY 2009 to enable the program to keep pace with rising energy costs.

According to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), more information on where to apply for LIHEAP assistance can be obtained by:

• Calling OTDA at: 1-800-342-3009
• Visiting OTDA online at: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/heap/

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

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