Utility customers accumulated a record amount of debt despite the National Energy Assistance Directors Association reporting a historic high of over 7 million families benefiting from the federal home energy assistance program in the previous fiscal year. The association emphasized the urgent need for increased funding to address this issue. Mark Wolfe, the executive director of the group, urged Congress to take action and allocate additional funding to maintain last year’s levels of heating and cooling assistance. Without such funding, approximately 1.5 million families may be forced out of the program. Although Congress had approved an extra $2 billion, bringing the total spending to $6.1 billion in the previous year, they have yet to provide further funding for the current fiscal year. This lack of action is concerning, especially considering higher energy prices resulting from the pandemic, fluctuating temperatures, and an increasing number of people seeking assistance. Presently, the funding is tied up in the appropriations process as Congress finalizes the details after reaching an agreement to keep the government funded until March. Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, expressed her commitment to collaborating with senators from both parties to secure the highest possible level of funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The need for funding is evident in the growing number of households falling behind on utility payments, with more than one out of six households currently facing this issue. This aligns with U.S. Census Bureau data, which reveals that 17.3% of households struggled to pay their energy bills at least once in the past year.
Utility customers accumulated record debt while the federal home energy assistance program served a record number of families in the last fiscal year, highlighting the need for additional funding, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. The group’s executive director, Mark Wolfe, urged Congress to provide more funding to maintain last year’s levels and prevent 1.5 million families from being cut from the program. Despite higher energy prices, extreme temperatures, and increased demand, Congress has not added extra funding for the current fiscal year. Republican Sen. Susan Collins expressed her commitment to securing the highest level of funding possible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The growing number of households behind on utility payments further emphasizes the need for funding, with more than one out of six households currently behind on their energy bills.
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